Adrenal cortical response to stress at Three Mile Island

Journal Article · · Psychosom. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-198405000-00005· OSTI ID:6289450

Schaeffer, M A; Baum, A

The present study examined the relationship between biochemical, psychologic, and behavioral components of chronic stress associated with living near the damaged nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island (TMI). Relative to control subjects, TMI subjects had higher levels of urinary cortisol, which correlated significantly with urinary catecholamines, self-report of physical and mental symptoms, and decrements in task performance. Further, it was found that males had higher urinary cortisol levels than females at TMI, while at the control sites, levels of cortisol were comparable between males and females. Finally, no significant relationship between coping style and urinary cortisol was detected. Levels of stress response among TMI are residents, though significantly greater than control subjects, were within normal ranges and thus should be considered subclinical in intensity. Their persistence over 17 months, however, suggests some cause for concern.

• Research Organization: Uniformed Services Univ. of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
• OSTI ID: 6289450
• Journal Information: Psychosom. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Psychosom. Med.; (United States) Vol. 46:3; ISSN PSMEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACCIDENTS
ADRENAL GLANDS
ADRENAL HORMONES
AMINES
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CATECHOLAMINES
CORTICOSTEROIDS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
FEMALES
GLANDS
GLUCOCORTICOIDS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HORMONES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
HYDROCORTISONE
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KETONES
MALES
MAMMALS
MAN
MATERIALS
MEN
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PHENOLS
PHYSIOLOGY
POLYPHENOLS
POPULATIONS
POWER REACTORS
PREGNANES
PRIMATES
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
THERMAL REACTORS
THREE MILE ISLAND-1 REACTOR
URINE
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
WOMEN