A few days ago an outrageous column was printed in the Wall Street Journal —it accuses “chemical crusaders” of “ruining Christmas” because we want to put safer regulations on toys.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is expected to vote on lifting the enforcement stay on testing of phthalates on Wednesday. The column is obviously meant to spread doubt, despite the scores of scientific studies and biomonitoring reports that show that phthalates have been linked to serious health problems and hormone disruption. These chemicals are ubiquitous in the bodies of most Americans, including infants and children.

There is no denying that by continuing to use phthalates, as well as other chemicals, such as BPA and PBDEs in U.S. products, we are rolling the dice with our children’s health. The chemical industry, including the American Chemistry Council and their newly-formed front group, Coalition for Chemical Safety, may argue that “just a little bit of poison” won’t do much harm. What’s next, Santa handing out candy cigarettes and handing out recalled lead paint toys, because they’re still ‘perfectly good’?

The true meaning of Christmas isn’t how many plastic toys we’re able to give out. It’s about creating a loving, supportive environment for everyone. And, spreading peace, joy and kindness. Good health makes that possible.

It’s time to get serious about chemical policy reform—and we’ll need your help. Get ready for 2010 to be the year we reclaim our children’s health and development.

(Thanks to the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition for raising awareness about the WSJ's insulting column. Together we will make a healthier world!)