Abstract: The research progress in the adsorption of iodine, iodate, and iodide was reviewed and the related adsorption mechanisms were discussed. Activated carbons and organic polymers are effective adsorbents for iodine with hydrophobic attraction and complexation as the main adsorption mechanisms. Iodate is mainly adsorbed through the acid-base interaction. In general, there are no effective adsorbents for iodate because of the lack of specific interactions between iodate and the adsorbents. Iodide is adsorbed mainly through chemical reaction and electrostatic attraction. Iodide specific adsorbents can be prepared by loading Ag, AgCl, Cu₂O, etc. on zeolite, alumina, activated carbons, polymers, etc.. Such adsorbents have a high adsorption capacity and a good selectivity, but a poor chemical stability. Usually they are not easy to regenerate. Therefore, to prepare iodide specific adsorbents with a good chemical stability and reusability is attractive.