Pre-treatment of simulated industrial wastewaters (SIM1, SIM2 and SIM3) containing organic and inorganic compounds (1,2-dichloroethane, sodium formate. sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate and sodium chloride) by oxidative degradation using homogeneous Fenton type processes (Fe2+/H2O2 and Fe3+/H2O2) has been evaluated. The effects of initial Fe2+ and Fe3+ concentrations, [Fe2+/3+], type of iron salt (ferrous sulfate vs. ferric chloride), initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, [H2O2], on mineralization extent, i.e., total organic content (TOC) removal, were studied. Response surface methodology (RSM), particularly Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used as modelling tool, and obtained predictive function was used to optimize the overall process by the means of desirability function approach (DFA). Up to 94% of initial TOC was removed after 120 min. Ferrous sulfate was found to be the most appropriate reagent, and the optimal doses of Fe2+ and H2O2 for reducing the pollutant content, in terms of final TOC and sludge production were assessed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.