CLEVELAND, April 3, 2003 - The Glidden Company, which does business in North America as ICI Paints, was dismissed Tuesday from a lead paint lawsuit filed in Jones County Mississippi in January 2002.

The plaintiffs, four former professional painters, filed suit in January 2002 seeking to recover damages for personal injuries allegedly caused by exposure to lead-based paint. Plaintiffs' counsel dismissed Glidden after it found that the company never manufactured or sold lead products for use in paint and was therefore not responsible in any way for their alleged injuries.

"This dismissal is another example of the growing consensus among respected plaintiffs' lawyers everywhere that Glidden simply has no role in lead paint lawsuits," said John Haggerty, Vice President and General Counsel for ICI Paints.

In the past year, Glidden has been dismissed from 18 lead paint lawsuits in California, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas.

ICI Paints is part of the ICI Group (NYSE: ICI), one of the world's largest producers of specialty products and paints. ICI Paints worldwide has 49 manufacturing sites in 25 countries and more than 15,000 employees. Headquartered in Cleveland, ICI Paints' North American operations produce decorative coatings brands such as Glidden, Dulux, Ralph Lauren, Devoe, Fuller-O'Brien, Sinclair, Color Your World, C-I-L paint and Liquid Nails caulks and adhesives. Products are sold through company stores, national/retail outlets and independent dealers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.icipaints.com or www.glidden.com