The findings of the research link bisphenol A and benzophenones with the early onset of breast development and puberty

Research from the University of Granada, recently 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 per cent 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 analysed urine samples from 182 girls aged between 4 and 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, which involved paediatricians from the paediatric endocrinology departments of six Spanish hospitals—including the Hospital Clínico San Cecilio in Granada—was funded by the Carlos III Health Institute.

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 oestrogen-like hormonal activity, which could bring forward female sexual development.

The study has 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 per cent 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 per cent and for premature thelarche, by 29 per cent. In the case of benzophenones, higher concentrations have been linked to approximately a threefold increased risk of early puberty. When analysing the combined mixture of phenols and metals, the risk increases by 20 per cent, 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 towards earlier onset of puberty in recent years, particularly in girls, and cases of precocious puberty in its various forms are becoming increasingly common in paediatric practices.

Although scientific evidence on the impact of these disruptors remains limited for many of them, this study provides new data by analysing 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.

Given the 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.