Chemical Agent Detector Paper

Starting from the left, the image includes the booklet of M8 testing paper (with accompanying testing legend), a testing vial, and a sample of used M8 Chemical Agent Detector Paper. The red stain on the M8 paper indicates it has been exposed to a H-Blister agent.

M8 Detector Paper is used to detect the presence of V and G type nerve agents and H type blister agents. It works by detecting chemical agents from a liquid splash. Each sheet of paper has three separate detection dyes. The yellow color appears when exposed to G nerve agents, the dark green color appears when exposed to V nerve agents, and the red color appears when exposed to H blister agents.[1] The M8 detector paper does not detect agents in the form of aerosols or vapors.

The M8 was a Canadian invention, being first standardized in 1963.[2] By 1964 it entered US service as part of the M15A2 Chemical Agent Detector Kit, with about 67,000 of these kits being produced from 1965-1969, with most other NATO nations also purchasing the M8.[2]

Image of a roll of M9 Chemical Agent Detector Paper and its packaging as produced in the early 1980s.

M9 Detector Tape or paper is used to detect the presence of nerve (V- and G- types) and mustard (H, HD, HN, and HT) agents.[3] It cannot identify what particular agent it is being exposed to. The tape is typically a dull cream color when not exposed to chemical agents, but will turn red in the presence of chemical agents.[4] The tape is made from Mylar, which is the sticky backing, and a red agent detection dye. The detector tape does have false positives, which can be caused by antifreeze, petroleum-based products, and liquid insecticide.

The M9 was adopted by the US Army in 1980, although prior testing showed the dye used in the tape was mutagenic and possibly carcinogenic.[2] Adoption nonetheless proceeded and the Army was able to find a replacement dye that was not mutagenic.[2]