Update: duPont, R.I. settle paint case

Although the giant chemical company refuses to characterize it as a settlement, duPont has agreed to donate $10 million or more toward education, research, and the cost of lead remediation for 600 homes in exchange for being dropped from Rhode Island’s action. Other defendants that remain in the case are Sherwin Williams Co., NL Industries […]

Although the giant chemical company refuses to characterize it as a settlement, duPont has agreed to donate $10 million or more toward education, research, and the cost of lead remediation for 600 homes in exchange for being dropped from Rhode Island’s action. Other defendants that remain in the case are Sherwin Williams Co., NL Industries Inc., Atlantic Richfield Co., Millennium Holdings LLC, American Cyanamid Co. and ConAgra Inc. A lawsuit filed by the state’s former attorney general against the manufacturers ended in a hung jury in Providence in 2002; a new trial is set for September. The product has not been sold for interior use in this country in approximately a half century. (“DuPont settles for millions in Rhode Island suit on lead paint”, AP/USA Today, Jun. 30). For our coverage of the case and the controversy generally, see this set of links. Courts have dismissed a number of other lawsuits seeking to impose financial responsibility for lead-paint-related woes on paint and pigment makers, including suits filed by the cities of Chicago (see Oct. 13, 2003) and Milwaukee (see Aug. 3, 2003). Update: Point of Law, Sept. 13, 2006 (controversy over donations).

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