The aim of this work was to estimate the content of Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb in upper layer ( 0-30 cm) of forest soils and to study the accumulation degree of these metals in leaves of five plant species within selected research areas depending on the distance from emitters of “Katowice” Steelworks. The accumulation of the metals was determined by the method of absorption atomic spectrophotometry, using an AAS 1-N apparatus. Accumulation of Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb was noted in the top layer of the soil (0-10 cm), and the content of these metals in the profile decreased along with increasing depth. In the studied areas, permissible concentration of Cd and Pb was exceeded. It was confirmed that along with the increase of the distance from the emitter, the amount of Zn, Cu and Cd decreases. An analysis of the plant material showed the danger of environment contamination with Zn, Cd and Pb. Most plant species from the stand situated nearest to the emitter accumulated maximum amounts of Zn, Cd and Pb.