" By the early 20th century Sherwin was making paint with lead-based pigment, even after the company published an article in 1904 warning that "white lead is poisonous in a large degree, both for the workmen and for the inhabitants of a house painted with white lead colors.

FORBES: Chip Thrills

So the state of Rhode Island, with lead paint in 60% of its 415, 000 homes (the national average is 25%), changed tactics and brought a public nuisance case against Sherwin and two other past producers of lead-paint pigment.

FORBES: Chip Thrills

For those he used lead white, a traditional oil pigment he reckoned would show up in an x-ray due to the heavy metal content.

FORBES: Masterpieces For Everyone? The Case Of The Socialist Art Forger Tom Keating [Book Excerpt]