ICI's Glidden dismissed from $1bn Rhode Island lead suit

28 February 2002 20:24  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (CNI)--The attorney general of Rhode Island agreed Thursday to dismiss The Glidden Company as a defendant in the state's $1bn (Euro1.15bn) lawsuit against major paints manufacturers seeking compensation for health and remediation costs related to lead-based paints.

Jim Martin, spokesman for Rhode Island Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse, said: "all the parties have agreed that Glidden Company should be dismissed as a defendant in the case."

Cleveland, Ohio-based The Glidden Company is a subsidiary of UK-based Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). ICI said in a statement today that since its founding in 1986 its Glidden subsidiary was "not involved in the manufacture or sale of lead products for use in paint." ICI said a different firm also named Glidden existed prior to that year but is a separate legal entity from ICI's subsidiary.

Martin said that Rhode Island is pressing ahead with its suit against the remaining eight defendants in the case. Attorneys for the state and the paints manufacturers are in Rhode Island Superior Court today to work out details for trial schedules, Martin said, adding: "This case is going to trial." The court is expected to announce a trial date shortly.

Rhode Island filed suit in October 1999, alleging that the chemicals, paints and lead pigment manufacturers are liable for the state's costs in healthcare, education and abatement related to poisoning caused by lead-based paint. The suit also seeks punitive damages.

In the nearly two-and-a-half years since the suit was filed, the defendant companies filed motions seeking to have the case dismissed, Martin said, but the Superior Court ruled against the companies.

Remaining defendant companies in the suit include Cytec Industries (spun off from American Cyanamid in 1993), NL Industries, Atlantic Richfield, DuPont, the O'Brien Corporation, Sherwin-Williams Company, SCM Chemicals and a trade group, the Lead Industries Association.

By: Joe Kamalick
+1 713 525 2653

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