Judge OKs Suit Against Lead Paint Industry

A judge ruled that Rhode Island can pursue a lawsuit that aims to set a national precedent of holding paint companies liable for health problems linked to lead in paint. Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse has the right under Rhode Island law to pursue such litigation that protects the public interest, Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein said. Industry lawyers had asked Silverstein to dismiss the suit, arguing that Whitehouse does not have the authority to take such legal action. The defendants are Sherwin-Williams; SCM Chemicals Inc. and American Cyanamid Co., whose paint liabilities were assumed by Cytec Industries Inc. of West Paterson, N.J.; Arco of Los Angeles; DuPont Co. of Wilmington, Del.; Glidden Co., a unit of Imperial Chemical Industries of England; and NL Industries Inc. of Houston.