February 26, 2007
What Was Wrong With The Old One?
The International Atomic Energy Agency and the International Organization for Standardization want you to know when it's time to panic, so they've adding a person running and a skull and crossbones to the radiation warning symbol.
The new symbol is a result of a five-year study in 11 countries around the world to develop a symbol that will scare people of all ages, nationalities and education levels. The test group included 1,650 people.
The symbol is to be used to identify dangerous sources of radiation such as food irradiators, teletherapy machines for cancer treatment and industrial radiography units. It will not be visible under normal use but will be seen if someone tries to disassemble a unit containing radioactive materials. So the next time you see this symbol, run!
Or "When you're in your attic and the fan starts pushing hot air, run away from the skeleton in the corner."
Posted by Matthew at February 26, 2007 09:28 PMTrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.opaquelucidity.com/movabletype/mt-tb.cgi/1043
Maybe they can put a picture of Ms. Spears with her head shaved. Scary!
Posted by: SLY![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.opaquelucidity.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 27, 2007 10:08 AM
That WOULD work!
Posted by: Matt_D at February 27, 2007 02:12 PM
Like people are not scared enough of anything "radioactive" already! So this is supposed to not be visible "under normal use" but when someone tries to disassemble a unit containing radio active materials.
You know ... if you are the type that likes to take apart say an XRD on a lazy Saturday afternoon, I think you are well beyond the point where skull and crossbones are going to scare you.
It took 5 years to get to this? Sigh... Some people just have nothing better to do.
Posted by: Hash at February 27, 2007 02:40 PM