The international symbol for panic

Posted By David Bosco Thursday, February 22, 2007 - 2:38 PM Share

Who says the United Nations can't get things done? The U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency—that's the body in a slow-motion confrontation with Iran—has just come out with a new radiation symbol. It seems the old symbol just wasn't scary enough.

[T]he traditional international symbol for radiation, the three cornered trefoil...has no intuitive meaning and little recognition beyond those educated in its significance. The new symbol is the result of a five-year project conducted in 11 countries around the world that included testing 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.

With that pressing task out of the way, the decks are clear for the U.N. to tackle Iran's accelerating nuclear program.

EXPLORE:IRAN, NUKES, UNITED NATIONS

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