CBRN

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CBRN is an acronym for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear weapons, used by the UK security services, UK emergency services, and the U.S Military. It replaced the out-dated NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) acronym which was used in both the United States and the United Kingdom. One of the primary reasons for the change was to acknowledge the increasing hazard presented by non-traditional agents such as toxic industrial chemicals and radiological isotopes. It can be said to be a synonym for WMD. A US extension of this acronym is CBRNE, the latter addition refers to conventional explosives.

In emergency services terminology, any incident involving unidentified substances is deemed to be a CBRN incident, requiring special procedures to protect emergency services personnel and the public. These procedures can involve the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as containment suits and decontamination tents.

CBRN is also used as an acronym by the U.S. Marine Corps for its 5711 military occupational specialty. School trained 5711s are known as Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Specialists. Prior to the change, 5711s were known as Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Defense specialists.