Chemical exposure may trigger puberty in young kids
Disturbing findings about exposure to hormone-like chemicals in today’s NY Times science section: it can cause early puberty in children. A preschool-age girl and her kindergarten-age brother each developed pubic hair after their father used a testosterone cream he purchased from the Internet. Apparently excess testosterone seeped into the kid’s system through ordinary skin-to-skin contact with their dad. And four school girls developed breast enlargement after using a shampoo containing placental extract and estrogen. Scientists worry that we may be seeing more incidents like these as exposure to hormones and hormone-like chemicals occurs via cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and even some manufacturing processes. In 1996, Congress told the EPA to develop a screening program to address the issue, but, according to one EPA scientist, the program has been stalled due to stonewalling by chemical industry reps who sit on the advisory committee.
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Comments
Another reason to go all-natural. I've gotten so weary of using anything with chemicals in it; I just don't trust them.
Posted by:Ashley |October 18, 2006 8:38 AM
My heart sank when I realised why I got my first period at 11 years old (about a month and a half shy of my 12th birthday). I feel a sense of bitterness and anger about it, how it was out of my control, and how I feel betrayed.
A bigger picture of all of this is the waste and toxins that are produced (and absorbed) by girls having those extra years with pads and tampons.
I would hate to see my 6-year-old niece having to deal with puberty at a younger age than I was, but I hope the way she has been raised will prevent that. She is vegetarian and is fed just about strictly organic food. They also drink goat's milk instead of cow's milk. The family uses natural alternatives, and my sister is well aware of things like teflon and fluoride. I can't change the circumstances of my childhood and teenagehood, but I can take control of it now, and we all must.
Posted by:Erika |November 27, 2006 2:12 AM
I found this article in the NYT the day it came out and just had to blog about it on my MySpace. It attracted quite a few readers actually. It was also posted on the EcoTalk blog as well.
I often wondered why people like myself reached puberty about ten years younger than our parents.
Posted by:Karla Lopaz |December 6, 2006 11:55 AM
Is it okay to say I make organic skin care on this blog?? I am trying to fight this exact sort of thing - it's why I started this business - The Radiant Goddess - we have skin care for women, but soon we will have a men's line as well...
Peace
:)
Posted by:Eileen |June 4, 2007 8:43 AM