New data shows the average age for girls starting to attain puberty has now dropped to 9.7 years, while the figure stands at 11.3 for boys. [Photo: jiangsu.china.com.cn ]

New study released by Nanjing children's hospital shows that children in China were attaining puberty at an earlier age than previous generations, reports the Modern Express on Monday.

On average, girls start to attain puberty at an age slightly less than 10, while boys on average were found to start the process of physical maturity at around 11 years of age.

Earlier data says children started puberty at the age of 11 or 12.

Experts say some environmental pollutants might lead to early puberty and warned this may impact children's health.