The Washington Post health section noticed the latest case of legislative and regulatory overreach on Tuesday: Old children’s books are being removed from the bookshelves of libraries and second-hand stores because of lead-based inks:

Legislation passed by Congress last August in response to fears of lead-tainted toys imported from China went into effect last month. Consumer groups and safety advocates have praised it for its far-reaching protections. But libraries and book resellers such as Goodwill are worried about one small part of the law: a ban on distributing children’s books printed before 1985.

Post reporter Michael Birnbaum found lead experts (like Ellen Silbergeld, who used to work for the old Environmental Defense Fund) who dismissed the dangers as remote. But apparently, it’s quite possible that toddlers will suck on Dr. Seuss and get poisoned by the Sneetches:

Children are more vulnerable than adults to damage from ingesting lead. Experts agree that fetuses and toddlers younger than 2 are at the most risk, but the threat remains for several years. Specialists say that lead poisoning can cause IQ loss and developmental delays, difficulty in focusing and increased aggressiveness. Children have to ingest the lead, not just touch it, but as anyone who has cared for toddlers knows, most toys and even books will wind up in their mouths sooner or later.

Always ahead of the curve, National Review’s Steve Spruiell reported on this on March 9 here.