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Türkiye’s Approach to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Incident Management: A Comprehensive Analysis

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 179 - 195, 30.09.2025

Abstract

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents pose significant threats to global and national security, necessitating an integrated, multidisciplinary response framework. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Türkiye’s approach to CBRN incident management under the coordination of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). It offers an overview of evolving CBRN threats and hazards, including emerging risks such as synthetic chemicals, artificial intelligence-enabled weaponization, and cyberattacks. The study outlines the objectives and variables of incident management, Türkiye’s integrated management system, and the national legislation governing this domain. By synthesizing national policies with international best practices, the article highlights Türkiye’s strengths and identifies areas for improvement. This analysis aims to elucidate Türkiye’s strategic approaches to building resilience against CBRN incidents, contributing to global security discussions.

References

  • AFAD. (2024). 2024 disaster and emergency statistics report. Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.
  • Alsaleh, O. I., Elsafti Elsaeidy, A. M., Saeed, S., Alhallak, A. A., Altelawi, M. A., Van Berlaer, G., & Hubloue, I. (2022). Acute health effects and outcome following sarin gas attacks in Khan Shaykhun, Syria. Cureus, 14(2) , e22188. https://doi.org/10.7759/ cureus.22188
  • Brundage, M., Avin, S., Clark, J., Toner, H., Eckersley, P., Garfinkel, B., Dafoe, A., Scharre, P., Zeitzoff, T., Filar, B., Anderson, H. S., Roff, H., Allen, G. C., Steinhardt, J., Flynn, C., Ó hÉigeartaigh, S., Beard, S., Belfield, H., Farquhar, S., Lyle, C., Crootof, R., Evans, O., Page, M., Bryson, J., Yampolskiy, R., & Amodei, D. (2018, February). The malicious use of artificial intelligence: Forecasting, prevention, and mitigation. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1802.07228
  • Bunn, M., & Sagan, S. D. (2014). A worst practices guide to insider threats: Lessons from past mistakes. American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Emerging infectious diseases: Preparedness and response. CDC.
  • Ciccarone, D. (2019). The triple wave epidemic: Supply and demand drivers of the US opioid overdose crisis. International Journal of Drug Policy, 71, 183–188. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.01.010
  • Cutter, S. L., Boruff, B. J., & Shirley, W. L. (2003). Social vulnerability to environmental hazards. Social Science Quarterly, 84(2), 242–261. https://doi.org/10.1111/15406237.8402002
  • Department of Homeland Security. (2025, August 8). Radiological dispersal device (RDD) immediate response guidance (2nd ed.). U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/publication/st-frg-rdd-response-guidance-planning-first-100minutes
  • Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). (2021). CBRN glossary. AFAD
  • Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). (2020). Türkiye disaster response plan. AFAD.
  • Drabek, T. E., & McEntire, D. A. (2003). Emergent phenomena and the sociology of disaster: Lessons, trends, and opportunities from the research literature. Disaster Prevention and Management, 12(2), 97–112. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653560310463814
  • European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. (2022). ENISA Threat Landscape 2022. ENISA.
  • Gostin, L. O., Mundaca-Shah, C. C., & Kelley, P. W. (2014). Neglected dimensions of global security: The global health risk framework commission. JAMA, 315(14) , 1451– 1452 . https://doi.org/10.1001/jama. 2016.1964
  • ICRC (2025, August 5). Hiroshima 80 years on: The humanitarian imperative to eliminate nuclear weapons. Retrieved from International Committee of the Red Cross website: https://www.icrc.org/en/article/hiroshima-80-years-humanitarian-imperativeeliminate-nuclear-weapons
  • International Atomic Energy Agency. (2015). The Fukushima Daiichi accident: Report by the Director General. Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency. https://www.iaea.org/publications/10962/the-fukushima-daiichi-accident
  • Jernigan, J. A., Stephens, D. S., Ashford, D. A., Omenaca, C., Topiel, M. S., Galbraith, M., ... & Perkins, B. A. (2001). Bioterrorism-related inhalational anthrax: The first 10 cases reported in the United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 7(6), 933–944. https:// doi.org/10.3201/eid0706.010604
  • Koblentz, G. D. (2011). Predicting peril or the peril of prediction? Assessing the risk of CBRN terrorism. Terrorism and Political Violence, 23(4), 501–520. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/09546553.2011.575487
  • Labaška, M., Gál, M., Nemčeková, K., Svitková, V., Krivjanská, A., Ryba, J., Híveš, J., & Mackuľak, T. (2024). Navigating the Landscape of CBRN-Contaminated Forensic Processes. Forensic Chemistry, 40(3), Article 100600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2024.100600
  • Leaning, J., & Guha-Sapir, D. (2013). Natural disasters, armed conflict, and public health. New England Journal of Medicine, 369(19), 1836–1842. https://doi.org/10.1056/ NEJMra1109877
  • Marrs, T. C., Maynard, R. L., & Sidell, F. R. (2007). Chemical warfare agents: Toxicology and treatment (2nd ed.). Wiley.
  • National Academy of Sciences. (2018). Biodefense in the age of synthetic biology. National Academies Press.
  • Nepovimova, E., & Kuca, K. (2018). Chemical warfare agent NOVICHOK – minireview of available data. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 121, 343–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.09.015
  • Norris, F. H., Friedman, M. J., Watson, P. J., Byrne, C. M., Diaz, E., & Kaniasty, K. (2002). 60,000 disaster victims speak: Part I. An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981–2001. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 65(3), 207–239. https://doi.org/10.1521/psyc.65.3.207.20173
  • Nuclear Regulatory Authority. (n.d.). Radiation Monitoring and Early Warning System Network (RADİSA). Retrieved September 5, 2025, from https://www.ndk.gov.tr/en-US/radiation-monitoring-and-warning-system-network-radisa
  • Okumura, T., Takasu, N., Ishimatsu, S., Miyanoki, S., Mitsuhashi, A., Kumada, K., ... & Hinohara, S. (1996). Report on 640 victims of the Tokyo subway sarin attack. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 28(2) , 129–135. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/S0196-0644(96)70052-5
  • Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. (2023). Annual report 2023. OPCW.
  • Perry, R. W., & Lindell, M. K. (2003). Preparedness for emergency response: Guidelines for the emergency planning process. Disasters, 27(4) , 336–350. https://doi.org/10.1111/ j.0361-3666.2003.00237.x
  • Porzi, J., Porzi, M., Patonnier, M., Macri, F., Widmer, N., Desmettre, T., Platon, A., Poletti, P.-A., & Gartner, B. A. (2024). Diagnosis and emergency management of radiological incidents. Revue Médicale Suisse, 20(883), 1418-1421. https://doi.org/10.53738/ REVMED.2024.20.883.1418
  • Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2014, October 28). No: 328, Press release regarding the suspicious powder sent to consulates general in İstanbul. Retrieved from Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/ no_-328_-28-october-2014_-press-release-regarding-the-suspicious-powder-sent-toconsulate-generals-in-%C4%B0stanbul.en.mfa
  • Rotz, L. D., Khan, A. S., Lillibridge, S. R., Ostroff, S. M., & Hughes, J. M. (2002). Public health assessment of potential biological terrorism agents. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 8(2) , 225–230. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid 0802.010164
  • Sezigen, S., & Kenar, L. (2019). Recent sulfur mustard attacks in Middle East and experience of health professionals. Toxicology Letters, 320, 52–57. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.12.001
  • Stone, F. P. (2020, May 6). Are Drone Swarms Weapons of Mass Destruction? Future Warfare Series No. 60. U.S. Air Force Center for Strategic Deterrence Studies. (Report).
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2024). World drug report 2024. UNODC.
  • United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. (2000). Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. UNSCEAR.
  • World Health Organization. (2009). WHO Manual for the Public Health Management of Chemical Incidents. WHO. ISBN: 978 92 4 159814 9.

Kimyasal, Biyolojik, Radyolojik, Nükleer (KBRN) Olay Yönetimine Türkiye’nin Yaklaşımı: Kapsamlı Bir Analiz

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 179 - 195, 30.09.2025

Abstract

Kimyasal, Biyolojik, Radyolojik ve Nükleer (KBRN) olaylar, küresel ve ulusal güvenliğe yönelik önemli tehditler oluşturur ve entegre, çok disiplinli bir müdahale yapılanmasını gerekli kılar. Bu makale, Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı (AFAD) koordinasyonunda, Türkiye'nin KBRN olay yönetimine yaklaşımının kapsamlı bir analizini sunmaktadır. Sentetik kimyasallar, yapay zeka destekli silahlanma ve siber saldırılar gibi ortaya çıkan yeni riskler de dahil olmak üzere gelişen KBRN tehdit ve tehlikelerine bir bakış sunulmaktadır. Çalışma, olay yönetiminin hedeflerini ve değişkenlerini, Türkiye'nin entegre yönetim sistemini ve bu alandaki ulusal mevzuatı ana hatlarıyla açıklamaktadır. Bu makale, ulusal politikaları uluslararası en iyi uygulamalarla sentezleyerek Türkiye'nin güçlü yönlerini vurgulamakta ve geliştirilecek alanları belirlemektedir. Bu analiz, Türkiye'nin KBRN olaylarına karşı dayanıklılık oluşturma konusundaki stratejik yaklaşımlarını açıklayarak küresel güvenlik tartışmalarına katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamaktadır.

References

  • AFAD. (2024). 2024 disaster and emergency statistics report. Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.
  • Alsaleh, O. I., Elsafti Elsaeidy, A. M., Saeed, S., Alhallak, A. A., Altelawi, M. A., Van Berlaer, G., & Hubloue, I. (2022). Acute health effects and outcome following sarin gas attacks in Khan Shaykhun, Syria. Cureus, 14(2) , e22188. https://doi.org/10.7759/ cureus.22188
  • Brundage, M., Avin, S., Clark, J., Toner, H., Eckersley, P., Garfinkel, B., Dafoe, A., Scharre, P., Zeitzoff, T., Filar, B., Anderson, H. S., Roff, H., Allen, G. C., Steinhardt, J., Flynn, C., Ó hÉigeartaigh, S., Beard, S., Belfield, H., Farquhar, S., Lyle, C., Crootof, R., Evans, O., Page, M., Bryson, J., Yampolskiy, R., & Amodei, D. (2018, February). The malicious use of artificial intelligence: Forecasting, prevention, and mitigation. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1802.07228
  • Bunn, M., & Sagan, S. D. (2014). A worst practices guide to insider threats: Lessons from past mistakes. American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Emerging infectious diseases: Preparedness and response. CDC.
  • Ciccarone, D. (2019). The triple wave epidemic: Supply and demand drivers of the US opioid overdose crisis. International Journal of Drug Policy, 71, 183–188. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.01.010
  • Cutter, S. L., Boruff, B. J., & Shirley, W. L. (2003). Social vulnerability to environmental hazards. Social Science Quarterly, 84(2), 242–261. https://doi.org/10.1111/15406237.8402002
  • Department of Homeland Security. (2025, August 8). Radiological dispersal device (RDD) immediate response guidance (2nd ed.). U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/publication/st-frg-rdd-response-guidance-planning-first-100minutes
  • Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). (2021). CBRN glossary. AFAD
  • Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). (2020). Türkiye disaster response plan. AFAD.
  • Drabek, T. E., & McEntire, D. A. (2003). Emergent phenomena and the sociology of disaster: Lessons, trends, and opportunities from the research literature. Disaster Prevention and Management, 12(2), 97–112. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653560310463814
  • European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. (2022). ENISA Threat Landscape 2022. ENISA.
  • Gostin, L. O., Mundaca-Shah, C. C., & Kelley, P. W. (2014). Neglected dimensions of global security: The global health risk framework commission. JAMA, 315(14) , 1451– 1452 . https://doi.org/10.1001/jama. 2016.1964
  • ICRC (2025, August 5). Hiroshima 80 years on: The humanitarian imperative to eliminate nuclear weapons. Retrieved from International Committee of the Red Cross website: https://www.icrc.org/en/article/hiroshima-80-years-humanitarian-imperativeeliminate-nuclear-weapons
  • International Atomic Energy Agency. (2015). The Fukushima Daiichi accident: Report by the Director General. Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency. https://www.iaea.org/publications/10962/the-fukushima-daiichi-accident
  • Jernigan, J. A., Stephens, D. S., Ashford, D. A., Omenaca, C., Topiel, M. S., Galbraith, M., ... & Perkins, B. A. (2001). Bioterrorism-related inhalational anthrax: The first 10 cases reported in the United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 7(6), 933–944. https:// doi.org/10.3201/eid0706.010604
  • Koblentz, G. D. (2011). Predicting peril or the peril of prediction? Assessing the risk of CBRN terrorism. Terrorism and Political Violence, 23(4), 501–520. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/09546553.2011.575487
  • Labaška, M., Gál, M., Nemčeková, K., Svitková, V., Krivjanská, A., Ryba, J., Híveš, J., & Mackuľak, T. (2024). Navigating the Landscape of CBRN-Contaminated Forensic Processes. Forensic Chemistry, 40(3), Article 100600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2024.100600
  • Leaning, J., & Guha-Sapir, D. (2013). Natural disasters, armed conflict, and public health. New England Journal of Medicine, 369(19), 1836–1842. https://doi.org/10.1056/ NEJMra1109877
  • Marrs, T. C., Maynard, R. L., & Sidell, F. R. (2007). Chemical warfare agents: Toxicology and treatment (2nd ed.). Wiley.
  • National Academy of Sciences. (2018). Biodefense in the age of synthetic biology. National Academies Press.
  • Nepovimova, E., & Kuca, K. (2018). Chemical warfare agent NOVICHOK – minireview of available data. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 121, 343–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.09.015
  • Norris, F. H., Friedman, M. J., Watson, P. J., Byrne, C. M., Diaz, E., & Kaniasty, K. (2002). 60,000 disaster victims speak: Part I. An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981–2001. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 65(3), 207–239. https://doi.org/10.1521/psyc.65.3.207.20173
  • Nuclear Regulatory Authority. (n.d.). Radiation Monitoring and Early Warning System Network (RADİSA). Retrieved September 5, 2025, from https://www.ndk.gov.tr/en-US/radiation-monitoring-and-warning-system-network-radisa
  • Okumura, T., Takasu, N., Ishimatsu, S., Miyanoki, S., Mitsuhashi, A., Kumada, K., ... & Hinohara, S. (1996). Report on 640 victims of the Tokyo subway sarin attack. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 28(2) , 129–135. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/S0196-0644(96)70052-5
  • Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. (2023). Annual report 2023. OPCW.
  • Perry, R. W., & Lindell, M. K. (2003). Preparedness for emergency response: Guidelines for the emergency planning process. Disasters, 27(4) , 336–350. https://doi.org/10.1111/ j.0361-3666.2003.00237.x
  • Porzi, J., Porzi, M., Patonnier, M., Macri, F., Widmer, N., Desmettre, T., Platon, A., Poletti, P.-A., & Gartner, B. A. (2024). Diagnosis and emergency management of radiological incidents. Revue Médicale Suisse, 20(883), 1418-1421. https://doi.org/10.53738/ REVMED.2024.20.883.1418
  • Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2014, October 28). No: 328, Press release regarding the suspicious powder sent to consulates general in İstanbul. Retrieved from Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/ no_-328_-28-october-2014_-press-release-regarding-the-suspicious-powder-sent-toconsulate-generals-in-%C4%B0stanbul.en.mfa
  • Rotz, L. D., Khan, A. S., Lillibridge, S. R., Ostroff, S. M., & Hughes, J. M. (2002). Public health assessment of potential biological terrorism agents. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 8(2) , 225–230. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid 0802.010164
  • Sezigen, S., & Kenar, L. (2019). Recent sulfur mustard attacks in Middle East and experience of health professionals. Toxicology Letters, 320, 52–57. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.12.001
  • Stone, F. P. (2020, May 6). Are Drone Swarms Weapons of Mass Destruction? Future Warfare Series No. 60. U.S. Air Force Center for Strategic Deterrence Studies. (Report).
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2024). World drug report 2024. UNODC.
  • United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. (2000). Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. UNSCEAR.
  • World Health Organization. (2009). WHO Manual for the Public Health Management of Chemical Incidents. WHO. ISBN: 978 92 4 159814 9.
There are 35 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Terrorism, Forensic Chemistry
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Ulviye Ersoy Yalçın 0000-0003-3535-221X

Submission Date June 2, 2025
Acceptance Date September 24, 2025
Publication Date September 30, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 7 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Ersoy Yalçın, U. (2025). Türkiye’s Approach to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Incident Management: A Comprehensive Analysis. Adli Bilimler Ve Suç Araştırmaları, 7(2), 179-195.