UK government to set up CBRN decontamination service

Elliot Morley, Environment Minister, has announced that the UK government will be setting up a new central service to help authorities and organisations prepare for and deal with the consequences of incidents where chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) materials are released into the environment.

The new Government Decontamination Service to be operational this summer, will provide expert advice and guidance on decontaminating infrastructure, buildings and the environment after a CBRN incident.

The move announced yesterday is part of the government's commitment to ensuring that well-laid plans are in place to prevent and respond to a range of CBRN emergencies.

Elliot Morley, Minister of State for the Environment, said: "As I announced in March last year, we have been considering the best way to deliver expert advice and guidance on preparing for and responding to contamination of infrastructure, buildings and the environment."

"The new Decontamination Service will have a UK-wide remit to help those responsible for clearing up after a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident, such as local authorities, to make sure they have considered and planned for decontamination. It will also ensure that if there were such an incident, authorities would be able to call upon a carefully assessed panel of specialist companies to carry out the decontamination operations."

The new service will:
* Provide advice and guidance to responsible authorities during their contingency planning for CBRN incidents, and regularly help to test the arrangements that are in place;
* Rigorously assess the ability of companies in the private sector to carry out decontamination operations, and ensure that responsible authorities have access to those services if the need arises;
* Advise central government on the national capability for the decontamination of buildings and the environment in the event of a major release of chemical, biological or radioactive materials;
* If required, the Agency will also help co-ordinate decontamination operations.

•Date: 27th January 2005 • Region: UK •Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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