Central government officials have been sent to Wugang in Hunan province in Central China to assist local authorities in dealing "more appropriately" with the lead poisoning scandal, which has left at least 1,000 children poisoned, Deputy Mayor Lei Zhanglin said.

"Officials from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Health have arrived at the city to fully investigate lead poisoning- related issues," Lei said over the weekend. "Everything is under control."

Lei said he believed the purpose of the central government's involvement is because officials want to instruct local authorities on how to deal with the aftermath of the massive lead poisoning case, so that things can be dealt with properly.