ZHENGZHOU: Blood tests have confirmed that almost 1,000 children in China's biggest lead smelting center have excessive levels of the metal.

The health bureau of Jiyuan city, Henan province, initiated the tests after a lead poisoning scandal was exposed in neighboring Shaanxi province.

Since Aug 20, the city government provided blood tests for more than 2,700 children younger than 14 who lived near three major smelters, Wei Zongchang, director of the Jiyuan health bureau, said yesterday.