Does bisphenol A cause early maturation in young girls?
Published: 12 October 2005
Category: Bisphenol A (BPA), Reproductive/Hormonal Changes
This article speaks of physical maturation at an early age, the effects this can have on a child’s psyche, as well as possible reasons for early maturation. According to the article, “The challenge of adjusting to their new role as ‘women’ can be problematic for these girls who have the mindset of children. While most of their teenager counterparts expect the change, the onset of puberty usually comes as a shock for girls under age 10.”
The article continues by quoting, “The earlier physical maturation, coupled with our culture’s emphasis on youth and sex, places young girls in a position of being pressured to behave more in accordance with their body’s maturation than their chronological age.”
The article links early maturation to different possibilities, which could include “chemicals that can be found in pesticides, plastic and even cosmetics. Bisphenol-A and Phthalates are used to make plastic and are almost impossible to avoid. DDT is a pesticide that is banned in the United States today, but its breakdown product DDE is still in the environment. PBC was once used as a flame retardant in electrical equipment. All of these chemicals mimic hormones and are suspected to influence the maturation process.”