A Glance Back – Myths and Facts about CBRN Incidents

Abstract

In our human history we can find numerous examples of the application of chemical and biological agents used or proposed as weapons during the course of a campaign or battle. In the twentieth century we saw the rise of a new age in battle field tactics and the abuse of detailed scientific knowledge for the employment of chemicals as warfare agents (CWAs). Another step that crossed a border was the use of nuclear bombs against Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945. Although there have been many attempts to ban chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear warfare agents (CBRN agents), their devastating potential makes them still attractive for regular armies as well as for terrorists. Therefore, it is likely that the emergence of CBRN terrorism is going to be a significant threat in the twenty-first century. However, we need to understand our history if we want to find appropriate answers for current and future threats. For this reason, in this chapter we provide a short history of CBRN, from the beginning of the use of CBRN agents up to the emergence of CBRN terrorism and the attempt to ban the use of this threat by negotiation and treaties.