Cation-exchange membrane was prepared by radiation-induced grafting of glycidyl methacryalte(GMA) onto polyethylene(PE) hollow fiber and its subsequent phosphonation. The adsorption characteristics of Pb(2+), Cu(2+) and Co(2+) for the cation-exchange membrane were discussed. In the adsorption of Pb(2+), Cu(2+) and Co(2+) by the modified PE hollow fiber, the amount of Pb(2+) adsorbed by the PE hollow fiber adsorbent containing 1.21 mmol/g of PO3H was ca, 54.4g per kg. The adsorption amount of Cu(2+) in the same PE hollow fiber was ca 21.0g per kg, and the adsorption amount of Co(2+) was ca 32.1g per kg. The order of adsorption of the PE hollow fiber adsorbent was Pb(2+) > Co(2+) > Cu(2+).