In May 2001, Peter Lord wrote a six part series on the extensively poisoning of children in Rhode Island by lead paint. Now, 16 months later, he is covering a highly controversial trial in Rhode Island as “Atty. Gen. Sheldon Whitehouse is seeking to hold eight companies accountable for manufacturing or selling lead-based paint decades ago that have been poisoning children here and around the country for years.” With many unsuccessful suits filed by individuals and communities nationwide, the strategy this time is to have the paint declared a public nuisance, defined as “creating a condition that unreasonably interferes with the health, safety and comfort of the community.” Financial analysts, bankers, and realtors warn that a win could be costly, both for industry and for the residents of the 330,000 houses suspected of having lead-based paint.