Prenatal and Prepubertal Exposures to Organochlorine Compounds and Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Pubertal Development at Age 12: The PELAGIE Cohort Study
October 2025
in “
Environment International
”
TLDR Exposure to certain chemicals before birth and during childhood may affect puberty timing.
The study from the PELAGIE cohort investigates the impact of prenatal and prepubertal exposure to organochlorine compounds (OCs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on pubertal development in 502 children (250 girls, 252 boys) at age 12. Results indicate that prenatal exposure to PFUdA in girls is linked to delayed breast development, while prenatal PFHxS exposure in boys is associated with a reduced risk of earlier gonadal development. Prepubertal exposure to HCB, PCBs, and PFASs in girls is linked to delayed breast development and later menarche, whereas in boys, prepubertal p,p'-DDE is linked to earlier puberty. The study concludes that these exposures may alter pubertal development, highlighting the need for further research.