State bans chemical linked to low testosterone

The presence of phthalates in children’s plastic toys is linked to lower testosterone levels in boys, according to this article in the latest Nation magazine. U.S. regulators and industry lobbyists don’t see the connection; but in a 2000 article, even our buddies at the libertarian Reason magazine in Santa Monica admitted “phthalates have indeed been shown to cause various harms to experimental animals when administered at high doses.” Not to worry, says Reason: “the key determinant of human risk is the dose.” Of course it is—and that’s why we at The District Weekly say we’re only a little addicted to opera. Fearing the disappearance of balls (on the other hand: more breasts) much of the rest of the world has banned the chemical. Talk about America being outmanned.

Given that 40 percent of all U.S. imports move through the Port of Long Beach—and that much of that trade is plastic—you might wonder if the City of Long Beach should join the European Union and countless other countries banning phthalates. No need: On Oct. 14, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a statewide ban on the manufacture, sale, and distribution of toys or kid products containing phthalates; unclear whether “distribution” includes unloading them at the port. In any case, the law, effective January 2009, gives Californians just 14 months to suck on stuff made in China that’ll produce men who are gentler, more intuitive and bored with sex.

Tags: balls, breasts, China trade, did we say balls, Nation magazine, phthalates, Port of Long Beach, Reason magazine, Schwarzenegger, sex, testosterone, toxic toys