NEW YORK, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services recently published a report, "Credit FAQ: Impact of Rhode Island Verdict On Former Lead-Paint And Lead-Pigment Manufacturers," after a jury verdict in Rhode Island found three companies liable for the abatement of lead paint in that state. Following the verdict, Standard & Poor's placed the ratings of Sherwin-Williams Co. (A+/Watch Neg/A-1), Valhi Inc. (BB/Watch Neg/--), and Millennium Chemicals Inc. (BB-/Watch Neg/--) on CreditWatch with negative implications. The report answers frequently asked questions about the CreditWatch placements, and the potential impact on other former lead-paint and lead-pigment manufacturers. The report states that a significant increase in litigation in other jurisdictions could depend in part on legal developments in this case, which might enable plaintiff lawyers elsewhere to better determine the probability of success of possible lawsuits against the paint manufacturers. "As lead-pigment litigation gains traction, it becomes a much more prominent risk factor in our rating deliberations," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Kyle Loughlin. The report is available to subscribers of RatingsDirect, Standard & Poor's Web-based credit research and analysis system, at http://www.ratingsdirect.com/. If you are not a RatingsDirect subscriber, you may purchase a copy of the report by calling (1) 212-438-9823 or sending an e-mail to . Ratings information can also be found on Standard & Poor's public Web site at http://www.standardandpoors.com/; under Credit Ratings in the left navigation bar, select Find a Rating, then Credit Ratings Search. All Standard & Poor's research information is accessible for 24 hours after publication on the public Web site. Members of the media may request a copy of this report by contacting the media representative provided. DATASOURCE: Standard & Poor's CONTACT: Media Contact: John Piecuch, New York +1-212-438-1102; Analyst Contacts: Wesley E Chinn, New York +1-212-438-7689 Kyle Loughlin, New York +1-212-438-7804 George Williams, New York +1-212-438-2238 Cynthia Werneth, CFA, New York +1-212-438-7819 Web site: http://www.standardandpoors.com/ http://www.ratingsdirect.com/

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