Defence Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Centre
Winterbourne Gunner

The Defence Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Centre [DNBCC] at Winterbourne Gunner is the establishment which forms focus for tri-Service NBC Defence Matters. One of its principal functions is the training of selected personel, including Foreign and Commonwealth, of all 3 services in NBC defence measures on land. Training at Winterbourne Gunner maintains Britain's position as the world leader in nuclear, chemical and biological defence.

DNBCC does not conduct research with radioactive substances and available records show no evidence that such research has ever been conducted there. However, DNBCC does conduct training courses in NBC defence involving the use of low-level radioactive sources. Available records show that, during such training, no service personnel have been intentionally or accidentally exposed to radioactive sources, but that six personnel stationed at DNBCC at various times received small doses of radiation as a consequence of working with ionising radiation. In all cases, these were well within prescribed safe limits. The radioactive substances used at DNBCC are: tritium(H-3), cobalt-60, caesium-137, radium-226, chlorine-36, strontium-90 and nickel-63.

Winterbourne Gunner, 
Salisbury, Wiltshire, 
SP4 OES, U.K.
Tel +44 1722 436247
Fax +44 1722 436729