New symbol ahead

Monday, 19 February 2007 A new radiation warning sign has been unveiled, but it should only be seen by those attempting to dismantle large sources who have failed to recognise existing symbology.

The sign was developed in response to the increasing use of radioactive sources in medicine and industry in some regions where the public have a low awareness of the potential dangers of radiation. It had been noted that the traditional trefoil radiation sign carried no intrinsic meaning.

The new symbol's macabre symbology of a skull and running figure is meant to alert anyone, anywhere to the potential dangers of being close to a large source of ionizing radiation.

The symbol is intended for IAEA Category 1, 2 and 3 sources including food irradiators, teletherapy machines for cancer treatment, and industrial radiography units. The symbol is to be placed on the device housing the source as a warning not to dismantle the device or to get any closer, but the rules for using the symbol mean it will not be visible under normal use - only if someone attempts to dismantle or dissassemble it.

The warning sign was agreed upon by the by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) after a five-year development programme involving tests on 1650 people from 11 countries.

Further information

International Atomic Energy Agency
International Organisation for Standardization