Frivolous use of the radiation warning symbol

Should use of the ionising radiation warning symbol,“ the trefoil”, be restricted? Our Editor and Deputy Editor offer differing opinions!

FOR Maureen McQueen( Editor)

The radiation warning symbol is applied to indicate there is a radiation hazard. The sign is internationally recognised and used to label radioactive products and the presence of radioactivity or radiation in a container, room or area. The absence of the sign should indicate that radiation is absent or that the level of radioactivity is below that of concern to human beings.

In Canada, section 23 of the Radiation Protection Regulations does not allow“ the frivolous posting of the radiation warning symbol”, but I am not aware of any other country which has the same regulation. The Radiation Warning Symbol is sometimes used on posters, on decorative pins, on mock ups of radioactive work. How confusing is this? Sometimes these uses of the trefoil are even by groups and personnel who are radiation protection experts; those exact personnel who know the rules specifying when, where and how the radiation warning symbol should be used. I find this unhelpful and confusing.

The trefoil is intended as a warning and if used everywhere, the risk is that it won ' t be treated with the proper respect it deserves. Also, a decorative trefoil might cause panic and lead to RP professionals being called out to investigate unnecessarily?

I suggest we limit our use of the radiation warning symbol to when it is required and stop using it frivolously ….

AGAINST Samantha Watson( Deputy Editor)

Ah, the radiation trefoil, so iconic and very recognisable. It ' s used in pop culture and as a decorative sign, sometimes to convey something a bit cool and edgy. It can be kind of fun, perhaps especially so when it has a link to you or your work? I mean, I ' ve got a necklace with the trefoil on, the boss wore a Christmas jumper with a tree made of trefoils( raised many a smile around the office), I ' ve even made a glass coaster with an approximation of the trefoil, that sits on my desk alongside my Lego minifigure with the trefoil on his suit. Should we really try to ban a bit of fun and the right to express oneself?

With so many things already out there bearing the trefoil, is it a bit late anyway? Would it be a case of closing the door after the horse has bolted? And really, what harm does it do? Anyone using it is probably pretty clear it is not about something actually being radioactive … so the risk of someone misinterpreting it is really very small. Can we just relax about this?

What do you think? Let us know at RPToday @ srp-uk. org

30 Radiation Protection Today www. srp-rpt. uk