JANIS RISLEY EXT. ED. FCS/4-H

Girls are going through puberty an ave rage of six months earlier than they did in the 1960’s. A small but growing number get their first period by age 9, which can increase the risk of breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease in later life.

Now, researchers think they have found a possible reason for the early onset, reports NBCNews.com. Musk ambrette, a synthetic form of musk fragrance found in cheap perfumes, may send a signal to the brain that triggers the process early.

The researchers combed through 10,000 chemical compounds to see how they affected the brain. They found several that might influence the timing of puberty, but the only one children were regularly exposed to was musk ambrette, which is used in everyday products including cosmetics, soaps, and even some artificially flavored foods.

When the researchers tested that compound on human cells, they found that it triggered the release of GnRH, a hormone linked to the start of puberty. Co-author Natalie Shaw from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, says that while more research is needed to confirm the link, parents may want to avoid products containing the compound. Musk ambrette is already banned in cosmetics in the EU and Canada (This article was published in October Issue of the Health and Science news).