Congress Removes Toxins from Toys, Exxon Proves Itself To Be More Evil Than Originally Thought

In a rare victory in the world of toxic chemicals, Congress decided earlier this week to ban phthalates in children's toys and reduce lead levels. As I reported last week, phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastic that are commonly used in children's toys such as rubber duckies and teething rings. They have been linked to reduced sperm counts, damaged DNA, and undescended testicles in baby boys.

Obviously, taking toxic chemicals out of toys that babies chew on is a good thing. Exxon Mobil, who manufactures DINP, one of the most common phthalates, has a different view on the ban, however: "What's at stake is, in fact, children's safety," said Elissa Sterry, a vice president at Exxon Mobil Chemicals. "If DINP is replaced by alternative products, that's a potential risk to children."

Really, Exxon? Really? You want to play that game? Because that sounds suspiciously like a threat.

And if that wasn't bad enough, Keith Hennessey, director of Bush's Economic Policy Council, wrote to the Senate with a similarly idiotic claim that a ban on toxic chemicals in toys could hurt children. "Banning a product before a conclusive, scientific determination is reached is short-sighted and may result in the introduction of unregulated substitute chemicals that harm children's health," he wrote.

It seems like there is a pretty easy solution to that: Start regulating chemicals that children are exposed to. Oh yeah, and stop being evil.

Source: The Washington Post