A process for removing impurities from crude nitrated aromatic products obtained during the nitration of aromatic compounds. The nitrated aromatic products are purified by treatment with ammonia washing followed by caustic washing. The nitrophenolic-containing wash waters are treated to recover dissolved organics and ammonia, and the stripped ammonia-wash effluent is incinerated. Carbon dioxide, which can accumulate in the process, is purged to the caustic washer.