Although lead has been banned from paint since 1978, poisoning from lead-based paint still poses a serious health threat, and, perhaps more than ever, a source of potential liability for people involved in the building and real estate industries. Recently, an increasing number of lawsuits have been brought against residential landlords and public housing officials. Day-care facilities, private residential sellers, lenders, insurers, and lead product manufacturers are all potentially liable. Remodelers and renovators who unwittingly stir up lead dust during their work are also at risk. A Little History Until the middle of this century, lead was widely used in paints because of its durability. In the 1950s, however, researchers found that lead paint was contributing to lead poisoning, which can cause health problems in adults and mental
