Last November Charlotte Brody and Julia Varshavsky examined the effects of a variety of common synthetic compounds in plastics and environmental contaminents on women’s fertility, reproductive health and children’s development in the thought-provoking piece "A 21st Century Right to Choose." Now, advocates of consumer products safety reform are gaining mainstream attention and support. On Tuesday the Washington Post published a clear-eyed, in-depth look at the debate between those who caution that certain synthetic compounds within plastics can be harmful to human health and those who counter (under the banner of "consumer choice advocacy") that plastics are both convenient and safe. The science, largely based on animal studies, is inconclusive but suggestive, and consumers, as reporter Ranit Mishori points out, have "been left to sort the mess out on their own." Read Charlotte and Julia’s piece, plus the Washington Post story, and you’ll have a strong grounding in the current terms of the debate.

Thanks to the indispensable Our Bodies, Our Blog for the tip on the story.