Exposure to common endocrine disruptors carries increased risk of precocious puberty in girls
· Medical Xpressedited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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Research from the University of Granada published in the European Journal of Pediatrics has revealed that girls with higher levels of bisphenol A (a component of plastics and epoxy-phenolic resins) and benzophenones (ultraviolet filters) in their urine are more likely to experience precocious puberty or early breast development.
The study, carried out on 310 girls from six Spanish hospitals, reveals that the risk increases by 44% for every twofold increase in BPA levels and triples in the case of benzophenones.
A team led by Professor Carmen Freire of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology at the University of Granada analyzed urine samples from 182 girls ages 4 to 8 who had been diagnosed with precocious puberty, premature thelarche (early breast development) or other conditions such as early pubarche.
Alongside them, 128 girls without these conditions also took part, serving as a control group. The study involved pediatricians from the pediatric endocrinology departments of six Spanish hospitals, including Hospital Clínico San Cecilio in Granada.
Everyday pollutants with hormonal effects
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals found in the environment, in food and in everyday consumer products such as plastics, food packaging, cosmetics and personal care products. These substances can interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system, which regulates puberty. Specifically, BPA and benzophenones are known to have estrogen-like hormonal activity, which could bring forward female sexual development.
The study made it possible to quantify phenolic compounds (bisphenols, parabens and benzophenones) and various metals in urine. The results show that, taken individually, BPA is associated with a 44% higher risk of exhibiting any sign of early puberty for every twofold increase in its levels in urine. For cases of precocious puberty, the risk increases by 69%, and for premature thelarche, by 29%.
In the case of benzophenones, higher concentrations have been linked to an approximately threefold increased risk of early puberty. When analyzing the combined mixture of phenols and metals, the risk increases by 20%, with BPA being the contaminant that contributes most to this effect.
Early puberty does not merely represent a disruption to the normal pace of childhood development. It has negative health consequences in later stages of life, such as psychological problems during adolescence and an increased risk of hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer, in adulthood.
Various studies have demonstrated a general trend toward earlier onset of puberty in recent years, particularly in girls, and cases of precocious puberty in its various forms are becoming increasingly common in pediatric practices.
Although scientific evidence on the impact of these disruptors remains limited for many of them, this study provides new data by analyzing several substances in combination.
The authors highlight that, although the European Union banned the use of BPA in food-contact materials such as tins and plastics in January 2025, the sources of exposure are highly diverse and there is no certainty that current levels are still safe for children.
Need for further studies and preventive measures
Given widespread exposure to these chemicals, the study's authors stress the need to continue generating high-quality evidence on the effect of mixtures of endocrine disruptors and other environmental toxins on precocious puberty.
They also highlight the importance of implementing preventive strategies to reduce exposure among vulnerable populations, such as educational interventions, stricter regulations, the development of products with safer formulations and more efficient environmental management.
More information
Alicia Olivas-Martinez et al, Association of exposure to synthetic phenols and metal(loid)s with early puberty in Spanish girls: a multicentric case–control study, European Journal of Pediatrics (2026). DOI: 10.1007/s00431-026-06919-1
Key medical concepts
Puberty, PrecociousUrine Sample
Clinical categories
PediatricsEndocrinologyChildren's healthCommon illnesses & Prevention Provided by University of Granada Who's behind this story?
Sadie Harley
BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →
Andrew Zinin
Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →
Citation: Exposure to common endocrine disruptors carries increased risk of precocious puberty in girls (2026, July 7) retrieved 7 July 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-exposure-common-endocrine-disruptors-precocious.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.