A Superior Court judge declared a mistrial Tuesday in a landmark lawsuit brought against the nation's top lead-paint makers. The state of Rhode Island was attempting to prove that lead paint was a public nuisance and increased the risk of lead poisoning in children. But after four days of deliberations, jurors remained deadlocked, unable to reach a verdict in the trial.

Plaintiff attorneys faced an uphill battle from the beginning. Lead paint, used on numerous homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings throughout Rhode Island, was outlawed nearly 25 years ago, and attorneys admitted that no evidence existed showing that a child had become ill due to the toxic substance, a fact that reportedly influenced several jurors. The decision is a major setback to public interest groups and health officials who were hoping to hold accountable companies that manufactured the products. Several states, most notably Connecticut and West Virginia, were prepared to take similar legal action if Rhode Island had prevailed. Companies named as defendants included ConAgra Grocery Products Co., DuPont Co. and Sherwin-Williams Co.