Exposure to commonly used pesticides could change when girls reach puberty, with new research linking some chemicals to earlier menstruation and others to delayed development.

A study involving 506 Spanish girls found that higher exposure to ethylenethiourea (ETU), a residue of fungicides, was associated with an earlier first menstrual period, while exposure to TCPy, a breakdown product of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, was linked to delayed menstruation, particularly in girls who were overweight or obese.

The findings, published in Environmental Research, add to growing evidence that pesticides can disrupt hormones that regulate growth and reproductive development.

Researchers from the University of Granada monitored girls from ages seven to 10, analysing urine samples for pesticide residues before following them until ages 14 to 16 to determine when they experienced their first period.

Scientists say ETU may interfere with thyroid hormones, potentially speeding up puberty, while chlorpyrifos exposure appears to delay the process.

The findings raise fresh concerns about the long-term health effects of pesticide exposure. Early puberty has been linked to emotional challenges during adolescence and a higher risk of hormone-related diseases, including breast cancer, later in life.

Although, chlorpyrifos and several related fungicides have already been banned in the European Union (EU)  researchers note that exposure to other agricultural pesticides remains widespread through conventionally grown food.

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The research team urged caution in interpreting the findings, but said the study highlights the need for stronger monitoring of environmental chemicals and further investigation into how pesticide exposure affects children’s health.

The study forms part of Spain’s INMA (Environment and Childhood) project, which examines how environmental factors influence child development.