The sorptive removal of zinc and cadmium ions from aqueous solutions using synthetic zeolite A was investigated. Experiments were carried out as a function of solute concentration and temperature (298-333 K). Several kinetic models were used to test the experimental rate data and to examine the controlling mechanism of the sorption process. Various Parameters such as effective diffusion coefficient. activation energy and entropy of activation were evaluated. Equilibrium sorption data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. Of the model tested, both Freundlich and D-R isotherm expressions were found to give better fit to the experimental equilibrium data compared to Langmuir model. The mean free energy is in all cases in the range corresponding to the ion exchange type of sorption. The results indicated that synthetic zeolite A can be used as an efficient ion exchange material for the removal of zinc and cadmium ions from industrial and radioactive wastewaters. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.