The study was carried out with the aim of assessing the impact of car traffic on agricultural activities in the vicinity of the lorry road. The results of the qualitative analysis in leafy vegetables showed the metallic trace elements (MTE), which are also found in soils (Cd, Pb and Zn). This proves there’s soil-plant transfer of MTE. The results of the quantitative analysis obtained showed that Zn has the highest levels of all the MTE determined followed by Pb and at the end of Cd, and the samples taken at 5 m from the road have very high levels of Cd, Pb and Zn which even far exceed the values of the standard as those taken at 15 m. This shows that, indeed, the soil close to the road is more exposed to pollutants from car traffic.
The determination of MTE levels in vegetables grown in Lubumbashi near the bypass road makes it possible to assess the risks of contamination of the food chain on the one hand and the development of appropriate bioremediation techniques on the other.