LAW & REGULATION

State Sues 12 Firms Over Mini-Blind Dangers: State Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren filed a lawsuit accusing a dozen companies that make or sell imported vinyl mini-blinds of failing to warn consumers about dangerous lead levels in their products. The suit alleges that the businesses failed to include the warnings as required by Proposition 65, a measure approved by voters in 1986 that requires lead-based products to carry a visible warning. Named as defendants are Bethel Group Inc., HomeBase, J.C. Penney Co., Jencraft Corp., Kmart Corp., Kirsch Co., Lotus and Windoware Inc., Montgomery Ward & Co. Inc., Newell Window Furnishings Inc., Richfield Window Coverings Inc., Wal-Mart Stores and Window Concepts Inc. The suit alleges that lead in the blinds can turn into dust that small children could then ingest, resulting in lead poisoning. The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission recommended last month replacing the mini-blinds.