[Objective]To understand the changes of children's blood lead levels and intelligence quotient (IQ) andthe effects of automobile exhaust on the prevelance rates of respiratory symptoms of children. [Methods] 151 pupilsof Y primary school in urban area were selected as exposure group, 160 pupils of Z primary school in Pudong districtwere selected as control group. The health questionaire survey and health examination were carried out amongpupils. The peripheral blood lead levels of the forth finger were determined. The IQ was determined by combinedRaven's Test. The data were statistically analzed by EPI Info and SAS statistic softwares. [Results] Significant differ-ences of blood lead levels were observed between exposure group and control group. The blood lead levels (x) negatively correlated with children's IQ (y) (y= 120. 11--0. 129x) . The prevelance rates of sore and uncomfortable feelings and foreign body sensation in throat and cough of exposure group were significantly higher than those in controlgroup. The ORs of corresponding symptoms were 1.71, 2, 64 and 2. 92 respectively. The multiple linear regressionanalysis showed that exposure to automobile exhaust and the distances from the residential region to street with heavytraffic were the main factors affecting the children's peripheral blood lead levels and the prevelance of respiratorysymptoms. [Conclusion] Further control of the emission of automobile exhaust and reasonable planning of location ofresidential areas were the main measures to control the prevelance of lead poisoning and its related diseases of children.