Quote from Wikipedia:
[h2]Biohazard sign[/h2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Biohazard_symbol.svg < Link To
Developed by the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dow_Chemical < Link To Dow Chemical company in 1966 for their containment products.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biohazard_sign#cite_note-waterloo-4 < Link To [5][/sup]
According to Charles Baldwin,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biohazard_sign#cite_note-waterloo-4 < Link To [5][/sup] an environmental-health engineer who contributed to its development: "We wanted something that was memorable but meaningless, so we could educate people as to what it means." In an article in
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_(journal) < Link To Science in 1967, the symbol was presented as the new standard for all biological hazards ("biohazards"). The article explained that over 40 symbols were drawn up by Dow artists, and all of the symbols investigated had to meet a number of criteria: "(i) striking in form in order to draw immediate attention; (ii) unique and unambiguous, in order not to be confused with symbols used for other purposes; (iii) quickly recognizable and easily recalled; (iv) easily stenciled; (v) symmetrical, in order to appear identical from all angles of approach; and (vi) acceptable to groups of varying ethnic backgrounds." The chosen scored the best on nationwide testing for memorability.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biohazard_sign#cite_note-5 < Link To [6][/sup]
It is used in the labeling of biological materials that carry a significant health risk, including viral samples and used hypodermic needles.
[h3][
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hazard_symbol&action=edit§ion=4 < Link To edit] Drawing[/h3] All parts of the Biohazard sign can be drawn with a
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass_and_straightedge < Link To compass and straightedge. The basic outline of the symbol is a plain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trefoil < Link To trefoil, which is three circles overlapping each other equally like in a triple
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venn_diagram < Link To venn diagram with the overlapping parts erased. The
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diameters < Link To diameter of the overlapping part is equal to half the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radii < Link To radius of the three circles. Then three inner circles are drawn in with 2/3 radius of the original circles so that it is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangent < Link To tangent to the outside three overlapping circles. A tiny circle in center has a
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diameter < Link To diameter 1/2 of the radius of the three inner circle, and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_(geometry) < Link To arcs are erased at 90°, 210°, 330°. The arcs of the inner circles and the tiny circle are connected by a line. Finally, the ring under is drawn from the distance to the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perimeter < Link To perimeter of the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equilateral_triangle < Link To equilateral triangle that forms between the centers of the three intersecting circles. An outer circle of the ring under is drawn and finally enclosed with the arcs from the center of the inner circles with a shorter radius from the inner circles.
So now we know.
