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Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN)

Defra: Strategic National Guidance - The decontamination of the open environment exposed to CBRN substances or material

Foreword by Elliot Morley

The Government has published this guidance to help local authorities, and others with responsibilities for protection of the public, to develop practical strategies for cleaning-up the open environment in the event of releases of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) substances, whatever their cause.

It complements similar contingency planning guidance published by the Home Office.

The persistence of CBRN substances in the environment can vary from just a few hours to perhaps many months or even many years in the case of some radioactive materials. However a well-managed recovery strategy can significantly reduce the overall impact of an incident. The local authority's recovery strategy will reflect a pattern of decisions that sets the long term direction of the environmental recovery process and ultimately determines its overall success.

This guidance provides an agreed set of basic recovery principles and a shared understanding of the key issues that may need to be addressed. In order to provide further advice and assistance to those involved the government is actively considering the establishment of a national decontamination and recovery service. The guidance will be subject to continuing review and will be kept up to date. As such we would welcome feedback on the document. Any comments should be sent to cbrnenquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

I am grateful to all of the individuals and organisations that have contributed to this document. It has been particularly helpful to receive the input of colleagues in the Local Government Association, the Home Office, the Environment Agency, the Emergency Planning Society and the Government Office for London.