Meanwhile, environmental protection experts from both the central and provincial governments were sent to Heyuan in northern part of Guangdong on Tuesday morning to further investigate the lead poisoning case caused by the local battery company.

"The case will be investigated to the fullest extent, " said Peng.

Sunnway Battery Co Ltd has now been ordered to stop production while the investigation is carried out.

Relevant government departments will soon launch a citywide inspection campaign to investigate companies for possible rule violations. And any persons and companies found to have discharged poisonous gases and liquids will be severely punished, Peng added.

"The introduction of clean production technologies is an important means of reducing the discharge of poisonous gases, solids and liquids," said Qiu Dingfan, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Located in the Jingshui industrial zone in Linjiang township, Sunnway Battery Co Ltd, with an investment of 30 million yuan ($4.6 million), mainly produces lead acid batteries for vehicles. The company passed the environmental protection acceptance test in 2008.

In addition to domestic markets, it exports products to 250 nations and regions around the world.

Heavy metal pollution cases have been on the rise in China in recent years. According to Legal Weekly, the country reported more than 30 serious lead poisoning cases since 2009 and the figure was nine in 2010 alone.