In February 2007, ISO and the IAEA created a new symbol for Ionising Radiation that complements (see “partially replaces”) the classic trefoil that’s been in use for more than sixty years. The new symbol is a red triangle with a black border that contains the trefoil, a number of jagged edges emanating from it and underneath it a skull and bones and a man running. All in black. You can find a picture of the logo here. I cannot copy it here as it is copyrighted by ISO/IAEA.
The new symbol is a ridiculously bad design for a number of reasons and at a number of levels. The reason for the new symbol is that the old one, our ‘beloved’ trefoil, was not intuitive and those not educated with regards to its meaning might not grasp its importance. While there is some merit to this, the argument is moot: the trefoil, as with the biohazard trefoil, were designed this way and their significance should be taught to everyone that might be in contact or near radioactive/biohazardous areas or materials. They are not supposed to be intuitive, but they do satisfy many of the conditions for successful symbols: they are relatively simple, not language specific and easy to discern for both people that are colourblind or that have reduced eyesight.
The new symbol is an attempt for a more intuitive representation of the danger. Yet the presence of the old radioactivity trefoil is kind of defeating its purpose; if people do not know what the trefoil is, the skull and running man will only provide half the story. They may not realise how serious the danger is or choose to ignore the sign alltogether. Exactly what they would do in the old case, if they didn’t know what the trefoil meant.
Moreover, the new symbol is far worse in terms of colour contrast (black over red is hardy as good as black over yellow) and it is also extremely cluttered; this means that it’s probably going to be extremely difficult to discern in small sizes or by people that cannot see very well.
If anything, I find the ISO/IAEA decision bad, not because they chose to replace the trefoil, but because they did such a bad job in finding an alternative symbol. In the end, however, use of the new symbol requires permission from those organisations, whereas the trefoil is free to use. Given how bad the new symbol is, I guess many people that don’t have to use it will keep on using the old one anyway.
