At the 99th annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Orlando, US, scientists shared their findings about the effects of a class of chemicals used in many of the pesticides and repellents sold. According to their data, pyrethroids accelerate puberty in boys exposed to them. Scientists from Hangzhou University and their leader Dr. Jing Liu warn that earlier puberty is not good for health at all. It is associated with a greatly increased risk of developing certain diseases such as testicular or breast cancer, can lead to delayed growth in late puberty and even cause behavioral problems. Pyrethroids are a class of pesticides that make up over 30% of all pesticides used worldwide. They are used both indoors and outdoors, mainly for the destruction and expulsion of mosquitoes, as well as against crop pests. According to scientists, pyrethroids are strong endocrine disruptors that negatively affect the hormonal balance in the body. After contact with the body, pyrethroids can be detected in the urine as a metabolite called 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA). NEWS_MORE_BOX In modern times, boys enter puberty between their 9th and 14th birthdays, but a host of environmental factors, primarily toxins, are causing this age limit to steadily decline. Dr. Liu’s study included 463 boys between the ages of 9 and 16. By analyzing the studies obtained from these children, it was found that every 10% increase in the detected levels of 3-PBA corresponded to a 4% increase in the levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Both hormones increase testosterone production in boys’ developing bodies. This accelerates sexual maturation and development, but takes its toll in the form of various diseases that usually appear years later – cancers, hormonal disorders and possible behavioral disorders.