In a town with chemical industry increased PCDD/PCDF levels were found in soil. Two typical patterns of congeners could be detected in the soil : one pattern with elevated octa-CDD and low penta- and hexa-CDF, the other with low octa-CDD and elevated penta- and hexa-CDF levels. In almost half of the investigated human blood samples these specific congeners were elevated compared to a group not especially exposed. With regard to the food chain comparison of PCDD/PCDF concentrations between soil, food and human blood was carried out. In one woman PCDD/PCDF concentrations were analysed in blood and milk.