Carbon prepared from peanut hulls (PHC) has been used for the adsorption of Pb(II) over a range of initial metal ion concentrations (10-20 mg/L), agitation times (5-140 minutes), adsorbent dosages (5-100 mg/100 mt), and pH values (1.5-10.0). Adsorption of Pb(II) obeyed the Langmuir isotherm. The applicability of the Lagergren kinetic model has also been investigated. Quantitative removal of 20 mg/L Pb(II) by 0.3 g carbon per liter aqueous solution was observed in the pH range of 3.0 to 10.0. A comparative study with a coal-based commercial granular activated carbon (CAC) showed that the adsorption capacity of PHC was 18 times larger than that of CAC.