Paint Poisoning

It was billed as a chance to explore "new ideas" for solving the thorny problem of childhood lead poisoning.But a daylong symposium yesterday sponsored by the governor's Lead Paint Poisoning Commission quickly revealed why the problem remains unsolved.Scientists, housing experts and lawyers sparred before the 15-member panel over the feasibility and fairness of setting up a state "no-fault" fund for compensating children poisoned by ingesting toxic paint chips and dust in rented housing.A lawyer representing lead-poisoned children warned that the state may wind up short-changing those injured youngsters while letting "a lot of landlords off the hook."

LEAD PAINT POISONINGHouse votes to study extent, treatmentThe House of Delegates yesterday voted 119-5 for a study of lead paint poisoning, which has been called the top environmental threat to children's health.The study would seek to determine the extent of lead poisoning exists in Maryland and the costs of compensating victims and treatment. It would be monitored by a 15-member commission that would recommend a way to pay for treatment.The bill now goes to the state Senate.The study would be paid for by a $5-per-unit fee charged to the owners of rental houses and apartments built before 1978.

ANNAPOLIS -- The paint industry turned out in force yesterday to protest a proposed tax on paint, saying it is being singled out to pay for a cure for the statewide problem of lead paint poisoning.Paint store owners said they'll lose business as the cost of paint goes up by 50 or 60 cents a gallon, contractors said the state will lose tax revenue because they'll be forced to buy their paints in neighboring states, and manufacturers said a paint tax could force them to close brand-name stores and put employees out of work.

ANNAPOLIS -- The paint industry turned out in force yesterday to protest a proposed tax on paint, saying it is being singled out to pay for a cure for the statewide problem of lead paint poisoning.Paint store owners said they'll lose business as the cost of paint goes up by 50 or 60 cents a gallon; contractors said the state will lose tax revenue because they'll be forced to buy their paints in neighboring states; and manufacturers said a paint tax could force them to close brand-name stores and put employees out of work.

ANNAPOLIS -- After a decade of fighting with landlords over lead paint poisoning of children, two legislators yesterday said they may have finally concocted a solution to the problem.All they have to do is persuade the General Assembly to tax the sale of paint, levy a $5 annual fee on every rental unit in the state and agree to protect landlords from being sued by tenants.The novel legislation, to be introduced next week by Dels. Samuel I. Rosenberg, D-Baltimore, and Virginia M. Thomas, D-Howard, would use proceeds from the proposed paint tax and rental fees to finance a Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention and Compensation Fund.

A Baltimore Circuit Court jury awarded $8 million yesterday to an 8-year-old boy who was poisoned by lead paint found in the East Eager Street house his mother rented.The 12-member jury issued the award against Michael Thompson, the landlord of the property. Mr. Thompson, of the 800 block of Wedgewood Road, could not be reached for comment, and it was unclear whether he had a lawyer. He has 30 days to appeal the jury award.Mr. Thompson didn't appear in court yesterday and has never challenged the lawsuit filed on behalf of the child on Aug. 21, 1986.

LEONARDTOWN -- Like most couples buying their first home, Christian and Melissa Solms envisioned their white frame house on Washington Street as a haven for their family. Instead, it poisoned their daughter and left her with possible brain damage.The terrifying discovery that dust from lead-based paint had attacked little Carolina's nervous system came four months after they moved in. Other numbing revelations followed.The county health department said the family would have to move out until workers were hired to remove the paint.