OSTON, Oct. 29 — A judge declared a mistrial today in a groundbreaking suit in which Rhode Island tried to hold paint manufacturers responsible for the health hazards of lead-based paint.

The suit, seeking to take a page from the suits against tobacco companies, was the first time that a state had filed such a claim against paint manufacturers. It was closely watched by jurisdictions that have filed similar lawsuits, including Chicago, Milwaukee, New York City, St. Louis, San Francisco, a score of cities and counties in New Jersey and several school districts and housing authorities.

The mistrial was declared by Justice Michael A. Silverstein of Superior Court in Providence after a six-member jury that had deliberated for four days told him that they were deadlocked. The judge has to decide whether there will be a new trial.

The jury was charged with determining whether lead-based paint, which the federal government banned in 1978, was a public nuisance, posing an immediate or potential public hazard.