Permeable reactive barrier (PRB) containing zero valent iron (ZVI), plaster and additives to make a porous composite structure was tested to remove an organic nitro compound as model pollutant. An aqueous solution of 4-nitroaniline (PNA) was passed through a porous plaster composite column and chemical degradation quantified by UV-Vis spectroscopy. PNA was reduced to p-phenylenediamine and the rate of the reduction was strongly related to ZVI amount, pollutant volume, and the contact rate with metal particles. The parameters could be controlled by reactor design and operation. The columns were made to test the materials for making precast plaster blocks containing ZVI. The results showed that such porous plaster blocks could be efficient as retaining walls for environmental applications.