Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

Medical Aspects of Chemical WarfareFig. 17-22. The M272 chemical agent water testing kit and its components. New kits have a test strip instead of a thermometer.Photograph: Courtesy of the Chemical Casualty Care Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense,Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.M21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent AlarmThe M21 remote sensing chemical agent alarm isthe first standoff chemical agent detector approvedfor fielding to military personnel. The M21 is a passiveinfrared device that detects nerve and blister agentclouds based on changes in the background infraredspectra caused by the presence of the agent vapor. In astationary position, the M21 alarm automatically scansa horizontal 60° arc and can recognize agent clouds atline-of-sight ranges up to 5 km (Figure 17-24). It reactsboth audibly by horn and visually by illuminatingFig. 17-23. The M22 automatic chemical agent detector andalarm consists of the M88 detector (left) and the M42 alarm(right).Photograph: Courtesy of the Chemical Casualty Care Division,US Army Medical Research Institute of ChemicalDefense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.578