On May 15, 2008, the Rhode Island Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the state’s public nuisance lawsuit against former manufacturers of lead pigment.  For more information, click here.

This Web site is intended to provide information about lead pigment litigation.

The dramatic decrease in the blood lead levels of children over the past decades has been described by the Centers for Disease Control as a public health success story.  Yet, since 1987, former manufacturers of lead pigment used in residential paint, and companies that bought businesses that once made lead pigment, have been the target of scores of lawsuits.  The vast majority of these cases have been dismissed or voluntarily withdrawn by the plaintiffs long before trial.

These types of cases are unwarranted and unwise. Companies (or alleged successors) that long ago made lead pigment used in residential paint are not responsible for risks today from poorly maintained lead paint. The small percentage of landlords who do not maintain their properties in an appropriate manner are responsible. 

Further, these companies acted responsibly as information became available and they acted consistent with medical knowledge available at the time. As knowledge of the health risks associated with lead paint evolved over the last century, former manufacturers took steps to protect workers, painters and the public at large -- decades before the federal government required such action.

This Web site provides information about the lawsuits. For further information about lead pigment litigation, please call (866) 202-2476.