Calif. Sues Companies Over Lead in Toys

San Francisco, California Attorney General Jerry Brown on Monday sued 20 companies, including Mattel Inc. and Toys "R" Us, claiming they sold toys containing "unlawful quantities of lead."

The suit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, alleges the companies knowingly exposed children to lead and failed to provide warning of the risk, which is required under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, known as Proposition 65.

If the suit is successful, the companies could pay a $2,500 fine for each violation, according to the complaint.

The suit, which was joined by the Los Angeles city attorney's office, also named as defendants Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, KB Toys, Costco Wholesale and others.