Apparently, the powers that be at the United Nations were concerned that the traditional radiation warning label was ambiguous and unknown to the general public. So they have released a new logo aimed at striking fear and panic into the hearts of all who see it.
A skull and crossbones, a running person and radiating ionizing waves, all on a deep red triangle, joined other more common warning symbols today as part of a United Nations effort to reduce needless deaths and serious injuries from accidental exposure to large radioactive sources such as food irradiation and cancer therapy equipment…
The symbol is the result of a five-year project conducted in 11 countries and was tested with different population groups — mixed ages, varying educational backgrounds, male and female — to ensure that its message of “danger – stay away” was crystal clear and understood by all.
Developed by human factor experts, graphic artists, and radiation protection experts, it was tested by the Gallup Institute on 1,650 people in Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, China, India, Thailand, Poland, Ukraine and the United States.
The symbol, intended for IAEA Category 1, 2 and 3 sources defined as capable of death or serious injury, including food irradiators, teletherapy machines for cancer treatment and industrial radiography units, will be placed on the device housing the source as a warning not to dismantle it or get any closer.
We hope Dr. Wes puts this on a med-tee . . .
Press release from Turtle Bay . . .