Chemical Agent Detector Paper

[2] 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.

[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.

The M18 kit includes M8 sheets, "tickets", and test tubes loaded with colorimetric reagents for measuring the concentration of toxins.

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