Publications by authors named "Rebecca J Baker"
Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous industrial chemicals that persist in the environment and in human fatty tissue. PCBs are related to a class of compounds known as dioxins, specifically 2,3,7,8-TCDD (tetrachloro-dibenzodioxin), which has been implicated as a cause of altered sex ratio, especially in relation to paternal exposures.
Methods: In the 1960's, serum specimens were collected from pregnant women participating in the Child Health and Development Study in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Background: Few studies of air pollutants address morbidity in preschool children. In this study we evaluated bronchitis in children from two Czech districts: Teplice, with high ambient air pollution, and Prachatice, characterized by lower exposures.
Objectives: Our goal was to examine rates of lower respiratory illnesses in preschool children in relation to ambient particles and hydrocarbons.
Background: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is an organochlorine pesticide still used in areas of the world where malaria vector control is needed. Few studies have examined in utero exposures to DDT in relation to fetal and early childhood growth in populations with substantial exposure to DDT. Furthermore, only a portion of these studies have investigated in utero exposures and growth during childhood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The objective of this study was to evaluate how indoor pollution from tobacco and home heating may adversely affect respiratory health in young children.
Design: A birth cohort was followed longitudinally for 3 years to determine incidence of lower respiratory illness (LRI).
Participants: A total of 452 children born 1994-1996 in two districts in the Czech Republic participated.