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.
