The aim of this study was to assess possible environmental pollution by lead, cadmium, copper, zinc and mercury in the Gorski kotar region and in a control region (Zagreb surrouding) few years after the explosion of ammunition stockpile. Since the region is covered by forests and arable lands lead, cadmium, zinc and copper were measured in soil and coniferous needles. Mercury was measured only in soil. A reliable pollution indicator was sought by correlating metals in soil and needles. No significant contamination by heavy metals in the region exposed to ammunition stockpile explosion was found, except of differences to control region which are probably due to different mineral composition and pH of the soil. Only old coniferous needles reflect to a certain level the concentration of lead and zinc in soil.