BACKGROUND: Poly(HEMA-co-MMA) beads were prepared from 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA) and methylmethacrylate (MMA) in the presence of FeCl3. Thermal co-precipitation of Fe(III) ions containing beads with Fe(II) ions was carried out under alkaline conditions. The magnetic beads were grafted with poly(glycidylmethacrylate; p(GMA)), and the epoxy groups of the grafted p(GMA) brushes were converted into amino groups by reaction with ammonia. RESULTS: The magnetic beads were characterized by surface area measurement, electron spin resonance (ESR), Mossbauer spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The maximum adsorption of Reactive Green-19 (RG-19) dye on the p(GMA) grafted and amine modified magnetic beads was around pH 3.0. The adsorption capacity of magnetic beads was 84.6 mg dye g(-1). The effects of adsorbent dosage, ionic strength and temperature have also been reported. Batch kinetic sorption experiments showed that a pseudo-second-order rate kinetic model was applicable. CONCLUSION: The p(GMA) grafted and amine modified magnetic beads (adsorbent) were expected to have the advantage of mobility of the grafted chains in the removal of acidic dyes from aqueous solutions. The magnetic beads have potential as an adsorbent for removal of pollutants under various experimental conditions without significant reduction in their initial adsorption capacity. (C) 2012 Society of Chemical Industry