abstract: The paper presents the results of research on lead and cadmium contents in potatoes and root vegetables grown in the Rzeszów region near the busy E 4 thoroughfare. Usability of such crops for consumption was determined. The analysis covered potato tubers and eatable parts of root vegetables: carrot, parsley, red beet and celery. Samples of the crops, in their usable maturity phase, for lead and cadmium content testing were taken form direct neighborhoods (2-5 m) and at distances of 10 and 15 m from road edge, in each of 16 check points. A strong relationship was discovered between the average contents of Pb and Cd in tubers of potato and in roots of vegetables and their distance from road. Cases of exceeding the acceptable consumptive standards, including those for lead and cadmium, were recorded especially for potatoes and roots of parsley and red beet sampled at 10-meter distance from road edge. On the other hand, except in single instances, the contents of Pb and Cd in roots of carrot and celery were within the acceptable standards.