Abstract: Pyrophyllite, a natural clay mineral with the adsorption activity, is a kind of adsorbent with development potential in treatment of environmental pollution. The adsorption mechanism of pyrophyllite was reviewed, and the effect of pyrophyllite adsorption on organic pollutants of phenol, dye, humic acid, bacteriophage and inorganic pollutants of cyanide, fluoride, heavy metals, toxic metal, radionuclide in waste water discussed. It is shown that the removal rate of natural pyrophyllite for some organic pollutants in industrial waste water is low, but modified pyrophyllite can significantly improve the adsorption of organic pollutants. Pyrophyllite can be used as a kind of adsorption material to remove viruses, bacteria and other toxic substances. At present, pyrophyllite is mainly applied in the treatment of water pollution, but lacks in application on the waste gas treatment and waste solid treatment, leaving great potential for further development. The adsorption effect, the best adsorption conditions and the adsorption mechanism need to be studied further.