The effectiveness of different coping styles in the face of a chronic and unique stressor-the accident at Three Mile Island (TMI) and its 2-year aftermath-were examined. Psychological, biochemical, and behavioral aspects of stress were measured during a protracted stress situation and were compared to indices of coping provided by the Ways of Coping Inventory. Because stress was chronic and the sources of stress were not easily changed, reappraisalbased emotional management appeared to be more effective in reducing psychological and behavioral consequences of stress. The use of denial or problem-oriented modes of coping under these conditions was less useful in reducing stress.Requests for reprints should be sent to Capt.

The relationship between stress and control for residents at Three Mile Island (TMI) was examined. TMI was studied because of the technological nature of the accident there. Residents of Frederick, Maryland, more than 80 miles from TMI, were used as a comparison group. Control‐related problems were measured using questionnaires and a behavioral task. Stress levels were determined using self‐report, behavioral, and biochemical measures. Residents at TMI reported more loss of control and performed more poorly on the behavioral task than did comparison subjects. Subjects at TMI reporting more loss of control had more stress‐associated symptoms than did comparison subjects and subjects at TMI not experiencing as many control‐related problems.

At the invitation of the Brazilian government, the authors conducted a multidisciplinary field study in Goiania, Brazil, 3 1/2 years after an accident involving 137Cs, a radioactive cesium isotope. They compared subjects exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation, subjects who experienced anticipatory stress from fear of radiation exposure, and a nonirradiated control group. Results indicated the presence of chronic stress, as measured by psychological, behavioral, and neuroendocrine indices, in subjects who were exposed as well as in subjects fearful of potential radiation exposure. Anticipatory stress associated with potential exposure to ionizing radiation resulted in a level of stress similar to that from actual exposure to ionizing radiation. These findings have implications for past and future radiation accidents.

A 14 kDa basic protein isolated from rat lung lavage was demonstrated to be lysozyme by its amino acid sequence analysis. An antiserum to rat lysozyme stained type II pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages. In rat lungs, no staining of the airway cells was noted. Lysozyme was detectable in type II pneumocytes by immunocytochemistry and by a quantitative immunoassay of lung homogenates of fetal lungs at Day 20 of gestation. An increase in the lysozyme content of the lung with increasing gestational and postnatal age of the rat was noted. In adult animals, lysozyme accounts for about 169.0 micrograms/g of wet lung weight and 0.3% of the soluble proteins in lung homogenate. Lysozyme constitutes about 6.6% of the total soluble proteins in rat lung lavage. Metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation were used to demonstrate that rat type II pneumocytes synthesize and secrete lysozyme in vitro. However, in human lungs, lysozyme was identified in serous submucosal glands but not in alveolar type II pneumocytes. The results demonstrate differential distribution of a secretory protein in rodent and human lungs and indicate that in the rat lysozyme could be used as an immunohistologic marker for type II pneumocytes and as an indicator of secretory activity and maturation of type II pneumocytes.

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