Dangers of BPA: South Florida children need protection

Something must be done to protect the children of South Florida from this dangerous chemical says one student ready to bring the facts to the Broward County Commission. The government's recent announcement that the EPA is considering the addition of Bisphenol-A (BPA) to their list of "Chemicals of Concern," is a step in the right direction, but long overdue, according to high school junior and BPA researcher, Wendi Oppenheim.

“Bisphenol-A: A Dangerous Chemical With Multiple Modes of Action.”

Oppenheim is studying the negative health effects associated with the transfer of BPA to toddlers and infants through plastic baby bottles, and was granted permission to present her findings to the Broward County Commission on April 13 at 10 a.m.

Arguing in favor of the Commission's passage of The Broward County Toxin Free Toddlers and Baby Act, Oppenheim will present her recognized research entitled "Bisphenol-A: A Dangerous Chemical With Multiple Modes of Action."

Oppenheim's research was awarded First Place at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (2010), First Place at the Florida Academy of Sciences (2009), and Second Place at the Broward County Science and Engineering Fair (2010).

Similar Toxin Free Toddlers and Baby Acts have already passed by other countries such as Canada and in three New York counties, San Francisco, and Chicago, as well as by the State Legislatures of Minnesota, Connecticut and Wisconsin. This bill is currently pending in three other states: California, Maryland and Washington.

Research has shown BPA causes negative health effects that include cancer, obesity, diabetes, reproductive health issues, and immune complications.

"As a National Board Member of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, I urge the Broward Country Commission to consider the overwhelming and conclusive evidence of the negative health effects of BPA," Oppenheim said. "Something must be done to protect the children and residents of South Florida from this dangerous chemical."

Broward County Commission Meetings are open to the public and held in formal session on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in Room 422 of the Broward County Governmental Center. The meeting can be viewed online through Broward County's Video Central.