Eight officials have been suspended or removed from their posts as local authorities in east China's Zhejiang Province disclosed that another four residents were suffering from elevated lead levels.

In the latest development in lead pollution case, 172 out of 658 villagers who live near a battery plant were found to have elevated levels of lead, said the local government in a statement.

None of the poisoned villagers are listed as being in life-threatening conditions, said the statement.

An investigation indicated that the untreated industrial emissions from a battery plant caused widespread contamination of lead in the area's water and soil.

Eight officials, including the deputy chief of the local environmental protection office, have been penalized for dereliction of duty, while the manager of the plant remains in custody of local police.

A toxic spill was discovered in early March after residents of three villages in Taizhou city were found to have high lead levels. Health experts say the exposure to excessive lead can damage a person's digestive, nervous, and reproductive systems.

Inspectors have vowed to supervise thorough checking among the 100-plus heavy polluters in the city. Police are also targeting the potential corruption in the management of the battery factory.