In recent decades, parents and health care professionals have had growing fears about the development of their children, particularly the early onset of puberty in female children. Since the early 1990’s, doctors, researcher and scientists have been looking at possible causes. From hormones found in conventional milk to the hormones in chicken and other meats to most recently, a study looking at environmental pollutants. What is causing young girls to start developing into adulthood at a faster rate than in the past?

The first studies done on milk first claimed that the hormone, rBGH, was responsible for the epidemic. rBGH is an artificial growth hormone injected into cows to get them to produce more milk at a fast rate. After several years of debate, most researchers now agree that isn’t the cause because rBGH is a protein hormone, meaning it is destroyed during human digestion. As for chicken, the verdict is out. Sex steroids have been outlawed in use of chicken for over 40 years, but they are still looking at other meat issues.

The biggest news recently is about environmental pollutants and their effect on puberty. A new study done by researchers at the University of Italy studied a group of girls already affected by early onset puberty. Of the 17 girls tested, 6 of them had high levels of mycoestrogen zearalenone (ZEA). ZEA is a mold produce estrogen that was previous linked to ill effects on cattle. Although the university study wasn’t conclusive and couldn’t explain all the cases of early onset puberty in the region, it did open the door to look at other pollutants in the area.

For years in the U.S., researchers have worried about raw estrogen and progesterone found in water supplies. The Italian study may help further research in these areas so the real culprit will be found.