Perchlorate is a new emerging persistent pollutant that can alter endocrine function in animals by blocking iodide uptake into thyroid tissue. Perchlorate contamination has attracted a great attention from scientists, because perchlorate is very stable and quite soluble, extremely mobile in aqueous systems, and diffuse rapidly in environment. Based on the analyses on the harmfulness of perchlorate, this paper firstly introduced the current pollution status of perchlorate in China, and the analytical techniques and pretreatment methods of perchlorate in different mediums. Futhermore, the researches on toxicological effects, migration and transformation of perchlorate in different mediums, accumulation in plants, and the environmental remediation methods in two categories i.e. bioremediation and non-bioremediation were reviewed. Finally, the significance and direction of researches on perchlorate contamination in the future were suggested.