The oxidative decomposition of nitrogen-sulfur oxides, formed by the reaction of nitrite ion and hydrogen sulfite ion in aqueous solution, has been investigated. The oxidants used in this study included hydrogen peroxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. There was a wide range of susceptibility to oxidation among the compounds studied. Ozone was a better oxidant than nitrogen dioxide and hydrogen peroxide under the conditions used. The rate expression for the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with hydroxylamine was found to be -d[H2O2]/dt = k[H2O2][NH2OH], where k = (7.3 +/- 0.5) X 10(-4) M-1 s-1 at 25-degrees-C.