Disinformation regarding chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats can lead to serious and widespread consequences. This issue is particularly pressing in the current age of rapid information sharing, where the truthfulness and impact of content are often overlooked. Misleading or fabricated reports about CBRN events—such as terrorist attacks or pandemics—can misguide governments and global agencies, disrupt response operations, squander valuable resources, and trigger public panic. Misinformation and conspiracy theories can intensify fear and unease, especially when they portray CBRN incidents as uncontrollable. In some cases, they may even lead to civil unrest if people are convinced the event was intentionally caused as part of a conspiracy. Additionally, such disinformation can be used to radicalise individuals and support terrorist recruitment by spreading fear and deepening societal divisions. This paper explores the topic, with a particular focus on the effects of disinformation related to the radiological and nuclear aspects of the CBRN framework.

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