Jerry Brown, California's attorney general, has leveled a lawsuit against 20 companies, claiming they sold toys containing unlawful quantities of lead. Mattel Inc. and Toys "R" Us are among the major companies named in the suits filed in Alameda Country Superior Court.

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

The legal action follows a spate of toy recalls, primarily of toys imported from China, which began in November and continued through the holiday season. If the suit is successful, the companies could pay a $2,500 fine for each violation, according to the complaint.