PART A - CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DETECTION METHODS
1.
Indicators of a Chemical Agent Attack.
Rapid detection and identification of suspected chemical contamination is vital, if soldiers are to take
appropriate survival and decontamination actions. Some of the occurrences that would cause you to
suspect a chemical attack are:
■ Unexplained liquid on terrain, buildings, or equipment.
■ Shells or bombs that sound unusual and have less-than-normal destructive effects.
■ Aircraft or other devices spraying a mist or fog.
■ Personnel showing symptoms of agents.
■ Dead or dying animals.
■ Functioning of an emplaced Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm System.
2.
Detection Devices.
Some of the items which can be used to detect and confirm the presence of chemical contamination are:
ABC M8 Chemical Agent Detector Paper, M9 Chemical Agent Detector Paper, M256 and M256A1
Chemical Agent Detector Kits, M8 and M8A1 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm Systems, and the
Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM). See Appendix A.
a. ABC-M8 Chemical Agent Detector Paper.
ABC M8 Paper is used to check in suspected areas for contamination. Soldiers carry a book of M8
Paper in their mask carrier. There is one book of M8 Detector Paper supplied in each M256/M256A1
Chemical Agent Detector Kit.
Use ABC M8 Detector Paper to detect and identify liquid V- or G-type Nerve Agents or H-type Blister
Agents. M8 Paper comes in booklets of 25 sheets in a resealable plastic bag. The sheets are
impregnated with chemical compounds that turn dark green, yellow, or red upon contact with a liquid
chemical agent. The paper must touch liquid agent in order to activate the color change. Use the color
chart located inside the front cover of the booklet to determine the type of agent contacted. M8 Paper
produces the following color indications:
2-3
CM 2506
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