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Research finds chemicals causing early puberty in girls

Author
Newstalk ZB ,
Publish Date
Sun, 9 Dec 2018, 3:13PM
Chemicals found in items like soap have been linked to early puberty. (Photo / Getty)

Research finds chemicals causing early puberty in girls

Author
Newstalk ZB ,
Publish Date
Sun, 9 Dec 2018, 3:13PM

New research suggests chemicals in commonly found items such as soap and cosmetics could be causing girls to hit puberty earlier. 

A study, focusing on chemicals such as phthalates, often found in perfumes, soaps and shampoos, and parabens, which are used as preservatives in cosmetics, followed 338 children from birth to adolescence. The chemicals are known to cause early puberty in animals, but this is the first to examine the effects on humans. 

After testing the urine of pregnant mothers and nine-year-olds, research found over 90 percent of kids’ urine samples showed concentrations of potentially hormone-altering chemicals.

For every doubling in concentration of a phthalate indicator in mothers’ urine, their daughters developed pubic hair an average of 1.3 months earlier, the study found. 

The study found no evidence of an effect on boys. 

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