Billion dollar blow for US paint companies

[fungus]

I guess this one goes in to the 'how far will this extend' basket;

A JUDGE has ordered three paint companies to pay 10 California cities and counties $US1.1 billion ($A1.23 billion) to remove lead from millions of older homes.

Judge James Kleinberg found the companies, Conagra Grocery Products, NL Industries and Sherwin-Williams marketed paint they knew was harmful to children.

Atlantic Richfield and DuPont were found not liable.

The companies have 15 days to object to the ruling, which the judge labelled as "tentative."

"There is a clear and present danger that needs to be addressed," Kleinberg wrote in his 110-page decision.

"The defendants sold lead paint with actual and constructive knowledge that it was harmful."

http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/billion-dollar-blow-for-us-paint-companies/story-e6frfkui-1226784933630

[Birdie]

what about pencil manufacturers ? LOL

[fungus]

what about pencil manufacturers ? LOL

That's something I hadnt considered- I've still got a piece of lead from a pencil stuck in the palm of my left hand from when I was a kid. (an old 'war' wound)

Gregg

[peterhr]

I thought 'pencil lead' was a baked graphite & clay material - the hardness determined by the proportions used.

[fungus]

I thought 'pencil lead' was a baked graphite & clay material - the hardness determined by the proportions used.

Peter,
It might be now but wasnt back in the '50's and '60's

Regards,
Gregg

[peterhr]

Peter,
It might be now but wasnt back in the '50's and '60's

Regards,
Gregg

Nah, the lead used for pencils was in the paint on the outside - it's been graphite since the 1600's even in Oz.
(apparently lead was used to make marks on papyrus by the ancient egyptions)

[fungus]

Nah, the lead used for pencils was in the paint on the outside - it's been graphite since the 1600's even in Oz.
(apparently lead was used to make marks on papyrus by the ancient egyptions)

aah, perhaps that's why I'm still here. I was told by the doctors it was best left in place and wouldnt be an issue (after it had heeled over)- perhaps you can trust doctors afterall. However, my brother and I enjoyed nothing more than peeling the paint off the wall between our beds when we were kids. That might be a very different story and may explain a lot.

Gregg