Let’s talk about a new law regarding children’s products passed by Congress last year. It is due to take effect on February 10, 2009.

The law, aimed at keeping lead-filled merchandise away from children, mandates that all products sold for those age 12 and younger — including clothing — be tested for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable. Those that haven’t been tested will be considered hazardous, regardless of whether they actually contain lead.

Who can’t get behind that, right? Nobody wants our children exposed to lead and phthalates, but it seems that there are some business owners who are chafing at the rule and say that it will drive them out of business since they will not be able to afford the cost of independent testing for all the merchandise they are carrying.

I have to admit, those business owners are striking me as a bunch of whiners. I can sort of get behind those who deal with natural products such as wood or wool, but we all know that wood can have all sorts of nasty things painted on it, and who is to say that the wool is not chemically treated as well?

Is the cost a burden? Yes. Is conducting the test a pain in the butt? Yes. Is the law coming at a particularly bad time, as the economy is, uh, a little down? Yes. Is it the right thing to do? Yes.

If you ask me, the United States has been far, far behind the curve on this issue, and it is about damn time something was done about all the chemicals we have unknowingly exposed our children and their growing brains and bodies to.

If that means a few businesses have to declare bankruptcy, then I am truly sorry about that. This type of testing should have been regulated from the very start, thus putting the onus on the manufacturers, instead of the middlemen. But it is time we assessed exactly what the damage is, and removed all items from circulation that contaminate our children.

Now, how about putting the automakers’ feet to a similar type of fire? I’m guessing zero emissions could do wonders for our kids as well.