Common chemicals found in toothpaste, shampoo and other personal care products may be linked to early puberty and that exposure can come even before the children are born — according to a new study by a team of UC Berkeley researchers.
A special team at the UC Berkeley Extension Branch pioneered the study.
The group with the Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health focused on whether in utero exposure to certain chemicals such as parabens or phthalates could lead to early puberty in girls.
“We found that it did, that women who used products had higher levels and those higher levels lead to girls going into puberty earlier than boys,” said Dr. Kim Harley, with the Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health.
Harley says the concern is that early puberty can lead to certain medical issues for girls, including cancers and reproductive problems.
She says the team looked at 600 women and tested their daughters between the ages of 9 and 13.
“We need to do more, but it is invaluable. it can be information that we can make better choices for us and girls for better health,” she said. The study is ongoing.