Anybody who knows me also knows: I’m the first to applaud efforts to get rid of toxins, particularly in our food and — most certainly — in anything our kids might put into their mouths.

But we now have another textbook example of why we can’t entrust Congress with this responsibility.

They’ve passed a law mandating that all products sold to kids 12 and other be tested for lead and phthalates.

Sounds great, right?

The problem is, the law is written so broadly that nobody can sell second-hand children’s clothing any more. Anyone who wants to will first have to test every article.

Can you imagine how expensive that would be?

“We will have to lock our doors and file for bankruptcy,” said Shauna Sloan, founder of Salt Lake City-based franchise Kid to Kid, which sells used children’s clothing in 75 stores across the country and had planned to open a store in Santa Clara, Calif., this year.

I know my posts of late have been dripping with disgust for our politicians, but I’m sorry, it’s warranted.

Really, is it too much to ask for them to read their stupid laws before they vote on them?

And while I’m at it, activists who push for legislation on these things — I know you think you’re doing the right thing, but you need to learn a lesson here, too. Even if this law is softened in some way, it will still have two consequences that I bet you will hate to see.

1. More stuff — including perfectly safe stuff–will be sent to landfills instead of being reused/recycled and

2. Toxic stuff that’s of any value, but that can no longer be sold second hand here, will be shipped overseas where laws are more lax.

That twinge you feel is your conscience . . .