TAYLOR, MI - Masco Corp. announced that courts in California and Washington have given final approval to settlements that are expected to conclude all class-action lawsuits pending in the United States against Masco and its Behr Process Corp. subsidiary related to exterior wood-coating products formerly manufactured by Behr.

Masco said its financial results for 2002 included a $166 million charge against earnings to account for the settlements. The company has said the settlements are not expected to exceed $200 million.

The class-action lawsuits had alleged that Behr's Super Liquid Raw-HIDE and Natural Seal Plus wood-sealant products failed to protect wood surfaces, and actually caused mildew. Behr has discontinued the manufacture of both products, a Masco Corp. spokesman said.