The removal efficiency of environmental pollutants from bamboo and other woody charcoals were measured in aqueous solution at 25 ℃ . The bamboo charcoals used were prepared from long-jointed and mousou bamboos. Other woody charcoals used were diff erent types prepared from vegetables or fruits. The environmental pollutants used were phenols, surfactants, ammonia, residual chlorine, and hexavalent chromium. The results indicated that carbon content, fi ne pores size, refi ning degree, and specifi c surface area of charcoals played important roles of the adsorption. The relationship between removal effi ciency and physical properties of charcoals were discussed to determine preferred adsorption behaviors of chemical pollutants onto charcoals.