The average age for the start of puberty has been dropping for decades. It’s a global trend that could be signaling a public health threat to the physical and psychological development of younger, more vulnerable swaths of the population. Still, there’s no clear culprit for early puberty; it’s a complicated puzzle with many scattered pieces. At the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), pediatric neuroendocrinologist Dr. Natalie Shaw has been assembling the pieces together and recently found a new lead hiding in plain sight.
Dr. Dori Germolec is a biologist studying how the chemicals in our environment affect the immune system, including toxic or carcinogenic effects of molds and dietary supplements. From bisphenols and flame retardants to arsenic in the drinking water and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, we are all exposed to a mixture of different compounds on a daily basis. Dr. Germolec’s research as part of the National Toxicology Program informs agencies like the EPA and FDA about the potential hazards of environmental toxins so that chemicals and substances can be properly regulated to keep people safe and healthy, both at home and in the workplace.
