Concentrations of 4 heavy metals in 149 samples of mushroom fruiting bodies, representing 11 species, mainly all edible, were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mushrooms were collected up to a distance of 6km from a lead smelter in central Bohemia in operation since 1786. Lead was accumulated extensively by Lepiota rhacodes & Lepista nuda. Among other species, significant accumulation was found up to a distance of 1km from the source. Concentrations of >100mg kg-1 dry matter were determined. The safe limit of 5mg kg-dry matter was exceeded in most samples collected at distances of up to 6km from the source. Concentrations of cadmium in the polluted area were generally significantly higher than in other parts of Bohemia. Concentrations of mercury in most species from the study area were higher than in those from other parts of Bohemia.
