Biohazard symbol?

Question

That biohazard symbol you see on containers in doctor offices. Orange background. A big ring with 3 "c-clamp" shapes on top. What actually is that?

Answer 1

It's nothing, just a symbol that was developed in 1966 by the Dow Chemical cooporation. "We wanted something that was memorable but meaningless" (http://www.hms.harvard.edu/orsp/coms/BiosafetyResources/History-of-Biohazard-Symbol.htm)

Answer 2

Hazard symbols are easily recognizable symbols designed to warn about hazardous materials or locations. The use of hazard symbols is often regulated by law and directed by standards organizations. Hazard symbols may appear with different colors, backgrounds, borders and supplemental information in order to signify the type of hazard.

All parts of the Biohazard sign can be drawn with a compass and/or ruler. The basic outline of the symbol is a plain trefoil, which is three circles overlapping each other equally like in a triple venn diagram with the overlapping parts erased. The diameter of the overlapping part is equal to half the radius of the three circles. Then three inner circles are drawn in with 2/3 radius of the original circles so that it's little tangent to the outside three overlapping circles. A tiny circle in center has a diameter 1/2 of the radius of the three inner circle, and 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 perimeter of the 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.

Developed by Dow Chemical company in the 1960s for their containment products.

According to Charles Dullin, 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.

Answer 3

An infinite amount of bands use-and will continue to use- the biohazard symbol as part of their insignia. Actually, I believe there IS a band called Biohazard. So you may or may not be deemed a fan of various musical groups that you may or may not actually be a fan of. To my knowledge, it's not a gang sign....but wouldn't it be funny if it is in 20 years? I've seen TONS of those tattoos. if you're gonna get it, I'd say maybe talk with your artist, and see if they can personalize or add to it =)

Answer 4

This from wikipedia

[edit] Bio-hazard sign
Developed by Dow Chemical company in the 1960s for their containment products.[4]

According to Charles Dullin, 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.

Actually you can't relate it to anything unless you make something up. Like little bugs or viruses that will bite you in all directions...lol

good question btw....

Answer 5

It contains 'sharps' [ needles, scalpel blades, etc. ] and
actual hazards - blood, spinal fluids, mucus, etc. ]
They are put in special containers to reduce the risk of people getting cut by a contaminated needle, or exposed to someone else's blood, etc.
They are collected and destroyed by special waste disposal
companies, who incinerate them.
This costs a lot more than regular trash, and they charge by the ounce, so don't ever put 'regular' trash in there - also, the person before you may not have pushed the needle he/she used down far enough, and you may get stuck!

Answer 6

That's where the doctor puts anything that could be potentially hazardous - anything that has touched your "fluids" including blood, waste, gloves they've used on you (or in you), etc. The garbage is disposed of specially...

I worked with blood in college and needed to autoclave the waste before throwing it out to kill all potential risks/hazards that may be on the waste.

Answer 7

It's the international biological hazard symbol.

Answer 8

It's nothing, just a symbol. I don't know the history or anything though.

Answer 9

Infectious materials such as medical waste or organic chemicals.

Answer 10

Any type of biological waste... bloody bandages... used syringes... gauze... blood samples... any type of biological contaminated object or sample gets tossed in there.