The M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector Kit is a small, simple-to-use kit designed to detect blister, nerve and blood (cyanide) agents. It also determines the type of agent present or confirms the absence of a hazardous concentration of agent. It is used after a chemical attack to determine if it is safe to unmask or reduce the protective posture level.

The elements of this kit constitute one of the U.S. military's most sensitive devices for detecting CWAs (Chemical Warfare Agents) and detects all agents at levels below those that can kill or injure people. It was used extensively during the 1st Gulf War and is widely deployed with our troops in Iraq today. The M256A1 kit is a manually operated chemical warfare agent detector system. It is used to determine whether it is safe to remove the protective mask following a chemical warfare agent attack, or as a confirmatory test after a chemical agent alarm has sounded.

It is important to understand that the M256A1 IS NOT AN ALARM; it is a tool used after soldiers have received other warnings signals or indicators about the possible presence of chemical warfare agents (SUCH AS WITH THE M-8 and M-9 DETECTORS), and have responded by putting on their chemical protective clothing.

The M256 kit has three basic components:

1. Vapor-Samplers (12)
2. ABC-M8 Chemical Agent Detector Paper (1 book - 25 sheets)
3. Operational Instructional Cards

The M256A1 kit is currently in use by U.S. soldiers on the ground in the Middle East, as well as by FEMA and First Responders. This product cannot identify biological agents, such as Anthrax.