A total of 64 children in Dongtang town, South China's Guangdong province, have been found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood, China News reported on Friday.

The town, traditionally a deposit of lead, zinc sulfur, has seen a worsening environment in recent years as several large smelt enterprises began operation.

Local villager Liu Hong said the air smells pungent at night and makes the eyes watery, especially on rainy days.

Environmental authorities are investigating the emission and waste management of suspected polluters.