Can prenatal nonylphenol and bisphenol exposure affect puberty timing?
Use caution. A 2026 study linked higher prenatal nonylphenol metabolites with higher odds of precocious puberty in girls. This is not proof that one product caused it, but it is a good reason to reduce avoidable plastic food contact during pregnancy.
What's actually in it
Nonylphenol and bisphenols are endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Bisphenols can be found in some plastics, food-can linings, and thermal receipts. Nonylphenol chemicals are used in some industrial and consumer-product supply chains.
During pregnancy, reducing avoidable food contact with plastic is one practical step. It will not remove every exposure, but it can lower contact with some bisphenol sources.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Environ Res compared 196 girls with precocious puberty and 588 matched controls from a Wuhan birth cohort. Researchers measured bisphenols and nonylphenol metabolites in maternal urine before delivery.
The study found that the third quartile of hydroxy-nonylphenol was linked with higher odds of overall precocious puberty (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.87). The third quartile of oxo-nonylphenol was also linked with higher odds (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.98). Oxo-nonylphenol was linked with higher odds of central precocious puberty (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.68).
What to do at home
This study shows an association, not a guaranteed cause. Start with easy swaps during pregnancy: store leftovers in glass, avoid heating food in plastic, wash hands after handling receipts, and choose fresh or frozen foods more often than canned foods when that works for your budget.