The influence of the oxidants H2O2, potassium peroxodisulfate, potassium peroxomonosulfate and dissolved organic matter on an electrochemical process for removing traces of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol was investigated. The electrolytic reactor used a doped Ti anode and a graphite cathode. Under acidic conditions the oxidants and dissolved organic matter significantly promoted 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol's degradation, but under alkaline conditions the effect was slight. The peroxomonosulfate was found to be more effective than the peroxodisulfate, which was more effective than hydrogen peroxide. Up to 90% removal of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol was achieved when humic acid was present at 0.5 mg C.L-1. The degradation rate was reduced obviously as the concentration of humic or fulvic acid increased. The concentration of HO center dot was significantly higher in acidic conditions, which is in line with the degradation performance. HO center dot rather than SO4 center dot- was shown to make the main contribution to the electrochemical degradation. Under acidic conditions, this electrochemical technique has good potential technique for the removal of steroid estrogens from water. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.