Bismuth MO species are included in the list of potential toxins for motor neurons. Thus, fast and selective method for removal of bismuth (III) species has been developed. The method was based upon the formation of tetraiodobismuthate [Bil(4)](aq)(-) in the test aqueous solution in the presence of KI-H2SO4 followed by subsequent extraction of [Bil(4)](aq)(-) by procaine hydrochloride (PQ(+)center dot Cl-) immobilized polyurethane foams (PUFs). The rate of removal of bismuth (III) ions from aqueous solution by procaine hydrochloride (PQ(+)center dot Cl-) immobilized polyurethane foams (PUFs) were studied in batch conditions employing Weber-Morris, Lagergren, Bhattacharya and Venkobachar, and Bt models. The rate of sorption of bismuth (III) was rapid initially within 5-15 min and reached a maximum in 30 min compared to other solid sorbent. Initially, the uptake of [Bil(4)](aq)(-) onto PQ(+)center dot Cl- loaded PUFs was fast followed by kinetically first-order sorption with an overall rate constant, k = 0.132 +/- 0.033 min(-1). Thus, film and intraparticle transport are the two steps that might be influence bismuth (III) sorption. The negative values of Delta G of the retention step of bismuth (III) dictate that the uptake of the analyte onto the used sorbent is spontaneous phenomena. Exothermic nature of bismuth (III) sorption is governed by the negative value of Delta H. The positive value of Delta S reflects the organized uptake of bismuth (III) on the used sorbent in a more random fashion. The PUFs offers unique advantages of [Bil(4)](aq)(-) retention over conventional solid sorbents in rapid and effective separation of trace concentration of bismuth (III) from aqueous media. Thus, the developed PQ(+)center dot Cl- treated PUFs sorbent could be packed in column for removal of bismuth (III) species from industrial wastewater. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.