Exxon

DINP, or diisononyl phthalate to give it its proper name, is amongst a group of phthalates that - according to research carried out by the National Research Center for Women and Families - can potentially make young boys less masculine, decrease the size of their penises and make them more susceptible to testicular cancer in later life. Plus, in adult males it can result in infertility.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been trying to pass legislation in Congress to allow it greater powers to, amongst many other safety matters, ban the use of these phthalates in children's toys.

The proposed ban is similar to bans against phthalates that already exist right across Europe.

One of the largest manufacturers of phthalates in the world is Exxon.

Exxon have so far spent $8 million on lobbying in 2008, the vast majority of which has been spent nefariously lobbying AGAINST the attempts of the CPSC to ban the use of phthalates.

Lobbying which, by its very nature, would appear to be undermining the health and well-being of many young children in this country.

If that doesn't seriously grip your shit, then nothing will. It's irrefutable proof that the Washington lobbyists will stop at absolutely nothing to improve the bottom line and profits of the corporations they are employed by.

How do lobbyists sleep at night?