M8 M9 info
NERVE GAS is also known as Tabun GA, Sarin GB, Soman GD, CMPF, GP, VR-55, and VX. Nerve gas interferes with the transmission of messages in the nervous system of the body. This is the most widely used and stockpiled agent by both the United States and what use to be the Soviet Union. It cannot be smelled easily and is very lethal, although it can be used in harassing concentrations. It takes approximately 6 to 8 minutes to take effect and causes death by convulsions and suffocation. It can be designed to have a persistence time from 10 minutes to 112 days.
BLISTER GAS can be either an inhaled agent or a contact agent. It cannot be smelled easily and is usually used to harass rather than kill. The time it takes to affect an individual depends on many factors, but it causes severe skin blisters, completely destroys the skin tissue, and has a persistence time of 1 to 54 days. This form of injury is particularly ugly. Blister gas is a Soviet development, based on improvements in Mustard gas used extensively during World War I. Mustard gas was one type of blister gas used extensively in World War I and many veterans have proof by long-lasting scars.
Chemical Agent Detector Paper, M9 is the most widely used method of detecting liquid chemical agents. M9 Paper reacts to chemical agents by turning a red or reddish brown color. Place the M9 detector paper to opposite sides of the body. If you are right handed, place a strip of M9 paper around your right upper arm, left wrist, and right ankle. If you are left handed, place the M9 paper around your left upper arm, right wrist, and left ankle. It is also attached to large pieces of equipment (eg: conditioning systems, shelter or van entrances or vehicles). When attached to equipment, it must be placed in an area free from dirt, grease, and oil. This is especially important since petroleum products and DS2 also cause the paper to change color. M9 Paper is especially useful in detecting on-target attacks and keeping soldiers from entering contaminated areas. Whenever pink, red, reddish brown, or purple color appears on the paper, suspect the presence of chemical agents. As soon as M9 Paper indicates the presence of chemical agents, soldiers and units must take protective action to keep from becoming grossly contaminated. The results of the M9 paper should be confirmed with the M256 kit. Night operations present some problems when using M9 Paper. Color changes will not show up when a flashlight with a red filter is used to read the paper. White light must be used. This could cause some serious OPSEC problems, especially for frontline troops. Commanders must realize that there is a risk if they do not establish procedures for checking M9 Paper for color changes. Soldiers can be rotated into a white light area or the M9 Paper can be collected periodically for reading.
This is the next step up. The M-8 Chemical Detector AND AGENT IDENTIFER. This product was originally designed for military reconnaissance to detect the presence and identity of chemical agents producing agent specific color changes. When activated by chemical agents, this detector may appear to become polka dotted. Compare the color of the dots with the colors marked on front to determine the identity of the specific agent.
With a color change to YELLOW suspect first Nerve G (Tabun, Sarin, Soman) non-persistent gases.
With a color change to RED suspect first Blister agents, like mustard gases.
With a color change to DARK GREEN suspect first Nerve VX persistent gases.
This product, too, is in current use right now by our soldiers on the ground in the Middle East today. It is widely distributed on the battlefield with each soldier carrying some M8's in their protective mask carrier. Organic solvents such as brake cleaner and bug sprays can cause false readings with product. Do not ingest this product. Please note, this product cannot identify biological agents such as Anthrax. This product must remain dry, as it will not work properly if wet. Product shelf life is unlimited, IF kept dry.
What's some practical strategies for the public to employ M9 or M8?
If an chemical alert were sounded that had everyone then buttoned up at home with plastic and duct tape on their windows and doors, the chem detection strip might could be utilized in two ways:
First; if stuck into the window sill on the outside, but out of the rain, you could tell from the safety of inside your home if it was detecting anything outside to have it start changing color. Also, when the all-clear was finally sounded, you'd have some independent confirmation that for your own property and neighborhood it really was OK, as well. Many others, without any such indication, won't have a clue as to what to believe or not and will not be prepared to deal well with such deadly uncertainties and possibly even be paralyzed with fear.
Secondly; if we did get into something nasty, having these detectors inside your safe room, too, would help calm all there that with no color change they were still safe. Placing them along hallways outside the safe room and even throughout the house would also help every ones confidence level later that when they did again utilize the rest of the house, they'd have some more assurance via the chemical indicators of how safe it was to do so.
Situations may even evolve where neighborhood evacuations are called for before an approaching chemical agent arrives on the wind. With your own chemical detection in-hand, you'll be able to confirm every step of the way for your family that you are not inadvertently moving into harm. Or, if the wind had just changed, you'll be able to confirm if your safe route and/or preferred safe destination, really still is.
Also, when travelling or at the mall or an auditorium, etc., if anything ever happened that was panicking people (on foot or in cars) that a chemical attack had been launched there, you could also pull out one of these M9 or M8 strips as you exited the area so as to expose it to the air about you. Whether it was in your hand as you got out of the area or jammed into your closed car window as you drove off, but where you could still see it, half in and half out, you'd potentially have a clue as to how bad it really was right where you are, both inside the car and outside.
The panic could potentially be deadlier than the 'event', especially so if it's a false alarm, and the information gleaned from your chemical detector could help you make wiser choices on how eagerly you'd then risk joining in with a dangerous trampling stampede or crazy panicked drivers, or not.
There are plenty more creative strategies for employing these chemical detectors around where you live, work, play and how/where you travel, especially when moving through high density population targets. Getting that peace-of-mind confirmation that the area you or your family frequents looks clear is a bonus benefit, not to be overlooked. It's something that few others will know and all will eagerly desire, in addition to your being warned when it might not be safe to go out right now.
From U.S. Military FM 3-6, Chapter 1, Chemical Agents:
The field behavior of chemical agents is dependent on weather variables such as wind, temperature, air stability, humidity, and precipitation. The influence of each variable depends upon the synoptic situation and is locally influenced by topography, vegetation, and soil.
Chemical agents may appear in the field in different forms: vapors, aerosols, or liquids. To understand the impact of chemical agents on the battlefield, the soldier must also understand how these agents are affected by weather and terrain. The following paragraphs give an overview of the basic characteristics of chemical agents and how weather and terrain influence and have specific effects on them.
Basic Characteristics
Vapors and small particles are carried by the winds, while any large particles and liquid drops fall out in a ballistic-like trajectory and are quickly deposited on the ground. Many agents give off vapors that form vapor clouds. The speed at which an agent gives off vapors is called volatility. Agents may be removed naturally from the air by falling out (large particles fall out much more quickly), by sticking to the ground or vegetation, or by being removed by precipitation. Once deposited upon vegetation or other ground cover, volatile agents may be re- released to the atmosphere for further cycles of travel and present a hazard until sufficiently diluted or decontaminated.
During approximately the first 30 seconds, the size and travel of an agent are determined primarily by the functioning characteristics of the munition or delivery system. Thereafter, the travel and diffusion of the agent cloud are determined primarily by weather and terrain. For example, in high temperatures, volatile agents produce maximum agent vapor in 15 seconds. Light winds and low turbulence allow high local concentrations of agents. High winds and strong turbulence reduce the concentration and increase the area coverage by more quickly carrying away and diffusing the agent cloud.
Vapors
When a chemical agent is disseminated as a vapor from a bursting munition, initially the cloud expands, grows cooler and heavier, and tends to retain its form. The height to which the cloud rises, due to its buoyancy, is called the height of the thermally stabilized cloud. If the vapor density of the released agent is less than the vapor density of air, the cloud rises quite rapidly, mixes with the surrounding air, and dilutes rapidly. If the agent forms a dense gas (the vapor density of the released agent is greater than the vapor density of air), the cloud flattens, sinks, and flows over the earth's surface. Generally, cloud growth during the first 30 seconds is more dependent upon the munition or delivery system than upon surrounding meteorological conditions.
Nevertheless, the height to which the cloud eventually rises depends upon air temperature and turbulence. These determine how much cooler, ambient air is pulled into the hot cloud (and, hence, determines its rate of cooling). The agent concentration buildup is influenced by both the amount and speed of agent release and by existing meteorological conditions.
Shortly after release, the agent cloud assumes the temperature of the surrounding air and moves in the direction and at the speed of the surrounding air. The chemical cloud is subjected to turbulence forces of the air, which tend to stretch it, tear it apart, and dilute it. The heavier the agent, the longer the cloud retains its integrity. Under conditions of low turbulence, the chemical agent cloud travels great distances with little decrease in agent vapor concentration. As turbulence increases, the agent cloud dilutes or dissipates faster.
Aerosols
Aerosols are finely divided liquid and/or solid substances suspended in the atmosphere. Sometimes dissolved gases are also present in the liquids in the aerosols. Chemical agent aerosol clouds can be generated by thermal munitions and aerosol spray devices or as by-products of liquid spray devices and bursting munitions.
Airborne aerosols behave in much the same manner as vaporized agents. Initially, aerosol clouds formed from thermal generators have a higher temperature than clouds formed from other types of munitions. This may cause some initial rise of the cloud at the release point. Aerosol generated clouds are heavier than vapor clouds, and they tend to retain their forms and settle back to earth. Being heavier than vapor clouds, they are influenced less by turbulence. However, as the clouds travel downwind, gravity settles out the larger, heavier particles. Many particles stick to leaves and other vegetative surfaces they contact.
Liquids
When a chemical agent is used for its liquid effect, evaporation causes the agent to form into vapor. Depending upon volatility, vapor clouds are usually of low concentration, have about the same temperature as the surrounding air, and tend to stay near the surface because of high vapor density. Additionally, vapor density governs the extent that the vapor will mix with the air. Liquid agents with high vapor density impact at ground level with very little evaporation of the agent. These agents are termed persistent agents. While drops are airborne, and after impacting, the liquid continues to evaporate. Agent vapor pressure will govern the rate at which the liquid will evaporate at a given temperature and pressure. Initial concentrations are lower, since the vapor source is not instantaneous as a vapor agent is but evolves over a long period (until the liquid source is gone). Liquid agents may be absorbed (soaked into a surface) and adsorbed (adhered to a surface), and they may also evaporate. Once the liquid is no longer present on the surface, desorption (going back into the air) begins. The vapor concentration over areas contaminated with a liquid agent tends to be less than with newly formed vapor clouds, and downwind agent concentrations are not nearly as great as with other types of agents.
"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them;
the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." - Proverbs 22:3
Detect Chemical Agents Using M8 or M9 Detector Paper
Detect Chemical Agents Using M8 or M9 Detector Paper
031-503-1037
Conditions:
You are in mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) 2 in a tactical environment or an area
where there is a chemical threat. You are given a protective mask, a booklet of M8 detector paper, a
dispenser of M9 detector paper, an M256A1 chemical-agent detector kit, the assigned decontaminating kit
(M291 or M295), DA Form 1594 (Daily Staff Journal or Duty Officer's Log), FM 3-11.4, FM 3-3, TM 3-6665-
307-10, TM 3-6665-311-10, and a complete set of MOPP gear or a chemical-protective ensemble.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
1. DO NOT WEAR CONTACT LENSES WHEN PEROFRMING THIS TASK.
2. DO NOT USE MASKS WITH DAMAGED FILTERS BECAUSE CERTAIN MODELS CONTAIN
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.
3. DO NOT CHANGE THE FILTER ELEMENT IN A CONTAMINATED ENVIRONMENT.
Standards:
Detect chemical agents using M8 and M9 detector paper, ensuring that the M9 detector paper is
attached to places likely to come into contact with liquid chemical agents. Detect and identify all liquid
chemical agents in the area that are within the capabilities of the M8 or M9 detector paper without becoming a
casualty.
Performance Steps
WARNING: ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES WHEN TOUCHING M9 DETECTOR PAPER. DO
NOT GET M9 DETECTOR PAPER IN OR NEAR YOUR MOUTH OR ON YOUR SKIN. THE M9 DETECTOR
PAPER DYE MAY CAUSE CANCER, BUT THE RISK IS SMALL BECAUSE VERY LITTLE DYE IS USED.
1. Detect chemical agents using M9 detector paper.
NOTE: M8 and M9 detector paper will not detect chemical-agent vapors.
a. Attach the M9 detector paper to your MOPP gear and equipment while wearing chemical-
protective gloves.
(1) Place the M9 detector paper on the MOPP gear on opposite sides of your body.
( a) If you are right-handed, place a strip of M9 detector paper around your
right upper arm, left wrist, and right ankle.
NOTE: These are the places where a moving Soldier will most likely brush against a surface (such as
undergrowth) that is contaminated with a liquid chemical agent.
( b) If you are left-handed, place a strip of M9 detector paper around your left
upper arm, right wrist, and left ankle.
NOTE: Do not attach M9 detector paper to hot, dirty, oily, or greasy surfaces because it may give a
false positive reading.
(2) Place M9 detector paper on equipment where it will come in contact with
contaminated objects and is visible to the operator.
WARNING: Some decontaminants will give false positive results on the M8 detector paper. The M8
detector paper may indicate positive results if used in an area where decontaminants have been used.
b. Monitor the M9 detector paper constantly for any color change. If you observe a color
change, immediately do the following:
(1) Mask.
(2) Give the alarm.
(3) Decontaminate as necessary.
(4) Assume MOPP4.
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2006 11:04:16 PM
Detect Chemical Agents Using M8 or M9 Detector Paper
2. Detect chemical agents using M8 detector paper if you see a liquid that might be a chemical agent
or if you observe a color change on the M9 detector paper.