GRANADA — Research published by the University of Granada in the European Journal of Pediatrics on July 7, 2026, found associations between higher urinary levels of bisphenol A and benzophenones and increased risk of precocious and early puberty in girls. The study analyzed urine samples collected from 310 girls across six Spanish hospitals.

The study specifically included 182 girls, aged 4 to 8, who had received diagnoses of precocious puberty, premature thelarche, or early pubarche. A control group comprised 128 girls without these conditions. Professor Carmen Freire of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology at the University of Granada led the research team.

The findings indicate that girls with elevated levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in their urine demonstrated a higher likelihood of experiencing precocious puberty or early breast development. Similarly, higher levels of benzophenones in urine were linked to an increased probability of precocious puberty or early breast development. The study quantified various phenolic compounds, including bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones, in addition to metals, in the urine samples.

For every twofold increase in BPA levels in urine, the risk of exhibiting any sign of early puberty rose by 44 percent. Specifically, the risk of precocious puberty increased by 69 percent, and the risk of premature thelarche increased by 29 percent for every twofold rise in BPA levels. Higher concentrations of benzophenones were connected to approximately a threefold increased risk of early puberty. When considering the combined presence of phenols and metals, the overall risk of early puberty increased by 20 percent, with BPA identified as the primary contributor to this elevated risk.

BPA is a component used in plastics and epoxy-phenolic resins, while benzophenones function as ultraviolet filters. These substances are classified as endocrine disruptors, which are chemicals present in the environment, food, and various consumer products such as plastics, food packaging, cosmetics, and personal care items. Both BPA and benzophenones exhibit estrogen-like hormonal activity.

Why It Matters

The study from the University of Granada documents a connection between specific chemical exposures and the development of early puberty in girls. Early puberty has been associated with psychological challenges during adolescence and an increased risk of hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer, in adulthood. The European Union had implemented a ban on the use of BPA in food-contact materials, including tins and plastics, in January 2025.