M8 Chemical Agent Detector Paper

Description:

M8 paper is issued in a book of 25 tan sheets of chemically treated, dye-impregnated paper, perforated for easy removal. A colour comparison bar chart is printed on the inside of the front cover of the book. The book is heat-sealed in a polyethylene envelope. Detach a sheet of detector paper from the book and attach it to clothing or place it on a surface so it can be exposed to drops of liquid splash of chemical agents. If coloured spots appear, chemical agent is present. Put on protective mask. Compare coloured spots with colours on inside cover to determine type of agent. The paper may also be used to detect liquid contamination by placing the paper in contact with the suspected surface.

Overview:

M8 paper is used to detect the presence of liquid VGH chemical agents. When a sheet is brought in contact with liquid nerve or blister agents, they react with chemicals in the paper to produce agent-specific colour changes. There are three sensitive indicator dyes suspended in the paper matrix. The paper is blotted on a suspected liquid agent and observed for a colour change (liquid agent absorption). There is a colour chart inside the front cover of the booklet for comparison. The chemical reaction between the M8 paper and chemical agent creates a pH-dependent colour change on the M8 paper. V-type nerve agents turn the M8 paper dark green, G-type nerve agents turn it yellow, and blister agents (H) turn it red.

Status:

M8 paper cannot be used to detect chemical agents in water or aerosol agents in the air, and it does not detect vapors. It is best suited for non-porous materials.