Study of the paracetamol degradation pathway that generates color and turbidity in oxidized wastewaters by photo-Fenton technology

•Propose a more completed pathway for aqueous paracetamol degradation.•Delve into the origin of the turbidity and color produced during the oxidation of phenol and paracetamol by the photo-Fenton treatment.•Comparare the selectivity of the oxidation mechanism leading to the formation of intermediates that cause turbidity and color when degrading contaminants with bencenic ring structures.•Determine that the stoichiometric ratio favoring the turbidity formation corresponds to 12mmol HO 100mg contaminant.•Establish that the main intermediates causing turbidity are the meta-substituted bencene rings and some dihydroxylated benzoquinones, since the resulting species would establish interactions by hydrogen bonds leading to supramolecular structures.