The interaction between organic acids (citric and oxalic acids) and heavy metals was examined in this paper. Equilibrium dialysis showed that the extent organic acids bound metals depended on the metal involved, and their binding properties affected the adsorption of Pb and Cd by soil, which was increased in the presence of oxalic acid, and decreased in the presence of citric acid. The effect of citric acid on the behavior and toxicity of Pb and Cd to plants was also studied. The presence of citric acid could reduce the toxicity of Pb, and inhibit the uptake of Cd in shoots and roots. However, there was no significant effect on the apparent toxicity of Cd. The interaction between Pb and Cd was found to be complicated. The Pb content in rice was higher in the presence of Cd, while the content of Cd is lower in the presence of Pb.