Paired vegetable/soil samples from New York City and Buffalo, NY, gardens were analyzed for lead (Pb),
cadmium (Cd) and barium (Ba). Vegetable aluminum (Al) was measured to assess soil adherence. Soil and
vegetable metal concentrations did not correlate; vegetable concentrations varied by crop type. Pb was
below health-based guidance values (EU standards) in virtually all fruits. 47% of root crops and 9% of leafy
greens exceeded guidance values; over half the vegetables exceeded the 95th percentile of marketbasket
concentrations for Pb. Vegetable Pb correlated with Al; soil particle adherence/incorporation
was more important than Pb uptake via roots. Cd was similar to market-basket concentrations and below
guidance values in nearly all samples. Vegetable Ba was much higher than Pb or Cd, although soil Ba was
lower than soil Pb. The poor relationship between vegetable and soil metal concentrations is attributable
to particulate contamination of vegetables and soil characteristics that influence phytoavailability.