Contents of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd have been examined in soils and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) in uncontaminated (Biała Podlaska, area of eastern Poland) and contaminated environments (Ruda Śląska and Bytom – Upper Silesia area). Based on the value of the cumulation factor (FC) a reduction of Zn and Cu collection by dandelion has been observed along with an increase of the concentration of these metals in the soil. Such a dependence is not so pronounced in the case of Pb and Cd. Even in an environment contaminated excessively with Cd (IV degree soil contamination) this element is collected by dandelion only in concentrations proportional to its content in the soil.