Scientists have raised the alarm about a chemical, widely used in personal care and household products, accused of triggering early puberty in young children.
For several decades, the age of puberty has been steadily decreasing, especially among girls. Some studies are pointing toward a possible culprit: musk ambrette, a synthetic fragrance. It appears to interact with a key area of the brain.
Researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) conducted a large-scale study examining nearly 10,000 chemical compounds found in various pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and household products. Among these substances, musk ambrette particularly caught their attention. In-depth tests revealed that this compound affected not only human hypothalamic cells but also zebra fish larvae, a model commonly used in biology to study hormonal development.
The research, published in
Endocrinology, indicates that musk ambrette may activate a receptor in the hypothalamus. This brain region plays a central role in hormonal regulation. By binding to this receptor, the musk could trigger the release of sex hormones far earlier than expected.
The consequences of early puberty are concerning. Affected young girls could become more susceptible to serious diseases in adulthood. This includes an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer.
Despite restrictions imposed in Europe and Canada, musk ambrette continues to be used in some consumer products. These regulations were put in place to limit its use due to its potentially toxic properties, particularly its neurotoxic and phototoxic effects on the body.
The researchers stress the importance of this discovery, calling for further studies to confirm these findings. In the meantime, caution is advised: parents are encouraged to check the ingredients of products used by their children.