Carbon adsorbents fabricated from coal and oil binders acquire ion-exchange properties (exchange capacity: up to 2.42 meq/g) under the effect of gamma-irradiation (dose: 5x10(5) Gy) in 0.01-0.1 N propanol (isopropanol) solutions of NaOH. They are characterized by elevated adsorption power in extraction of arsenic from wastewaters.