Chitosan powder and beads (unmodified, cross-linked with glutaraldehyde or epichlorohydrin optionally conditioned with NaHSO4) were used for adsorption of Pb and Cd. The highest Pb and Cd adsorption capacities (39.24 and 27.56 mg/g, resp.) were achieved at concn. of the adsorbent 0.2 g/L and 5.0 g/L resp., adsorption time 24 h, the initial Pb and Cd corms. 33.97 and 17.00 mg/L, resp., when chitosan powder was used as an adsorbent for the removal of Pb and unmodified chitosan beads for removal of Cd at pH 6.0 and 7.0, resp. The adsorption of Pb and Cd was described by Langmuir isotherms.