Local officials have been punished after battery factory emissions sickened more than 200 children in east China's Anhui Province with lead poisoning, authorities said Thursday.

Ten officials in Huaining County, Anqing City, received punishments ranging from administrative warnings to removal from office, according to a statement released by local government of Anqing.

High lead blood levels were detected in more than 200 children in the county and 23 of them were hospitalized earlier this month.

The county government confirmed lead emissions from Borui Battery Co. Ltd. caused the poisoning.

Huaining County magistrate Liu Feiyue, and vice magistrate, Cao Ziquan were given demerits.

Three officials including Huaining Environmental Protection Bureau director Zhao Yiping were fired.

The Anqing government also said the offending factory would be investigated by police and duly punished.

Local government closed Borui Battery and another battery plant following the incident.