Agricultural Chemicals Linked to Early Puberty in Girls

Researchers from the University of Granada found that high concentrations of ethylenethiourea, a fungicide residue, are associated with earlier onset of puberty in girls by interfering with thyroid hormones.

The study analyzed 506 girls between 2013 and 2016, noting that while some chemicals accelerate puberty, others like the insecticide metabolite TCPy are associated with delayed menarche in overweight individuals.

Asia-Pacific countries, including India and China, account for nearly 60% of global dithiocarbamate fungicide production, chemicals which are currently banned in the European Union due to health and environmental concerns.