Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protective Clothing Information
Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology Chemical Protective Overgarment. The JSLIST (hereafter referred to as the CPO) has a service life of 120 days, of which 45 days is the maximum wear time. The CPO service life begins when the garment is removed from the factory vacuum-sealed bag. It can be laundered up to six times for personal-hygiene purposes and provides 24 hours of protection against liquid, solid, and/or vapor CB attacks. It also provides protection against radioactive alpha and beta particles. Wear time for the CPO begins when it is removed from its factory vacuum-sealed bag and stops when the garment is sealed back into its zipper-locked bag. Donning of the CPO (regardless of the time) equates to a day of wear. To ensure serviceability, personnel conduct operator or shipboard preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS). Damaged CPO CP ensemble items may be retained only for training purposes. CB protection provided by the CPO is dangerously degraded if an area of the ensemble is wet through the inner lining with petroleum products, perspiration, urine, feces, or many common insect repellents. If the overgarment becomes wet through the inner lining with any of these materials, replace it as soon as possible. All services use the CPO.
Chemical Protective Undergarment. The CPU is a two-piece undergarment consisting of a formfitting undershirt and drawers. The CPU is not removed from its bag until it is needed for use. When the CPU is removed from its VB bag, its protective qualities last for a minimum of 15 days. The wear time for the CPU begins when it is removed from the VB bag. If the original bag is not available, use a replacement bag that, as a minimum, is water-resistant or water-repellent. The CPU can be laundered once for personal-hygiene purposes during its 15-day use. It provides protection from CB agents (solid, liquid, and vapor) for up to a 12-hour period. The CPU also protects against radioactive alpha and beta particles. When worn under a duty uniform, the CPU has also shown enhanced flash fire protection capabilities. The CPU is generally used by SOF, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), technical escort, and depot personnel.
Battle Dress Overgarment. The BDO is a camouflage-colored (woodland or desert), expendable, two-piece overgarment consisting of one coat and one pair of trousers. The BDO presently comes sealed in a VB bag that protects against rain, moisture, and sunlight. The BDO is water-resistant but not waterproof, and it is normally worn as an outer garment. In extreme cold-weather environments, the BDO should be worn between layer two (bib overall, cold-weather shirt, and trouser liner) and layer three (coat liner and field trousers) of the ECWCS. In extreme cold-weather environments, the BDO is sized to wear over arctic/extreme cold-weather environmental clothing; however, mission requirements may dictate that the BDO be worn under arctic clothing. When the BDO is removed from its VB bag and worn, it may be worn up to 22 days. Wear time can be increased to 30 days, with slight increases in risk, at the discretion of the commander. Wear time for the BDO begins when it is removed from its sealed VB bag and stops when the BDO is sealed back in its VB bag. If the original VB bag is not available, return the BDO to a similar material bag and seal it with common duct tape. Donning the BDO (regardless of the time) equates to a day of wear. The BDO provides a minimum of 24 hours of protection against exposure to CB agents (solid, liquid, and vapor) and radioactive alpha and beta particles. While the BDO is not designed to be decontaminated or reimpregnated for reuse, the use of the M291 skin decontamination kit (SDK)/M295 decontamination kit, individual equipment (DKIE) on contaminated ensembles within 15 minutes of the time of exposure to liquid chemical agents will essentially maintain full protective capabilities of the BDO. The BDO becomes unserviceable if it is ripped or torn, a fastener is broken or missing, or POL are spilled or splashed on the garment. Users conduct PMCS for the BDO according to applicable service technical publications. The BDO is being replaced by the JSLIST overgarment. All services use the BDO.
Note: If the original VB bag for clothing such as the JSLIST overgarment, CPU, or BDO, is not available, use a replacement bag that is, as a minimum, is water-resistant or water repellent.
A/P22P-9A (V) Below-the-Neck Protective Assembly. The A/P22P-9A (V) below-the-neck protective assembly consists of the MK-1 flyer underall, cotton undershirt and cotton drawers, CP socks, disposable footwear covers, aircrewman’s cape, and CP gloves and glove inserts. The MK-1 flyer underall is a one-piece chemical liner made from nylon viscose, nonwoven fabric treated with fluorochemical liquid repellent. The inner surface is coated with activated charcoal. The cotton undershirt and drawers are worn under the chemical liner to prevent skin irritation from the charcoal lining and to minimize perspiration contamination of the chemical liner. The CP socks, made of 4-mil polyethylene, are vapor-agent impermeable and protect feet from CB agents. The disposable footwear covers are clear plastic, disposable (one-time use only) and are designed to protect feet from contamination. The aircrewman’s cape is a large, clear, disposable plastic bag, designed to be worn over the body to protect from liquid contamination. The standard CP gloves and inserts are made of butyl rubber, 7-mil thick; and the standard white inserts are 100 percent cotton knit. The primary users include the USN and the USMC.
Wet-Weather Gear. Wet-weather gear provides an ensemble for wear over IPE. Wet-weather gear provides initial protection against liquid CB agents and radioactive alpha and beta particles in a cold and/or wet climate, both ashore and shipboard. The wet weather gear is made of green, chloroprene-coated nylon. The jacket style parka has a slide fastener with moisture barrier flaps, patch pockets, and a permanently attached hood. All services use wet-weather gear.
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Bag. The NBC equipment protective bag is constructed of abrasion-resistant nylon and is designed to consolidate and transport NBC defense items such as IPE components and decontamination kits. The bag can no longer hold the entire IPE ensemble because of the change from CP footwear covers to GVOs/BVOs. The bag comes in one size and has a four-color, woodland camouflage pattern.
Suit, Contamination Avoidance and Liquid Protective. The SCALP is a fourpiece ensemble and consists of a jacket, trousers, and two footwear covers. It is designed to be worn over the CPO (BDO or JSLIST) and CP overboots. The footwear covers have 12-mil embossed polyethylene soles. The components provide protection from gross liquid contamination for up to 1 hour. Users include land force elements such as EOD, technical escorts, or medical units.
Apron, Toxicological Agent Protective, M2. The apron, toxicological agent protective (TAP), M2 is intended for personnel whose duties may bring them into contact with liquid CB agents. For example, those who work with toxic munitions, perform decontamination in a field environment, handle contaminated clothing and equipment at a decontamination site, and handle and treat chemical agent casualties could use this item of clothing.
Self-Contained, Toxic-Environment Protective Outfit. The STEPO provides a totally encapsulating protective ensemble for a TIC environment. The system can be configured in three separate modes of operation, depending on the mission and user requirements. STEPO includes a CP suit, a choice of breathing apparatuses (4-hour rebreather, tethered air supply with emergency SCBA, and standalone 60-minute SCBA), a battery-powered cooling system, and a hands-free communications system. The STEPO is worn with the TAP boot, which fits over the integral booties of the STEPO CP suit. The STEPO is used in extremely hazardous and/or oxygen-deficient environments where contact with CW agents, POL, missile fuels, and/or TIC can occur. The system provides the wearer with clean, closed-circuit breathing air and up to 4 hours of OSHA Level A protection. The CP suit can be used five times after exposure to vapor contamination and decontamination processes. If the suit is exposed to liquid contamination, it must be decontaminated and disposed of in accordance with local procedures. The primary users of STEPO are EOD specialists, technical escort personnel, and civilians engaged in chemical activity/depot hazardous materials (HAZMAT) operations.
Chemical Protective Glove Set. The glove sets come in three thicknesses (7, 14, and 25 mil). The 7-mil glove set is generally used by personnel whose tasks require extreme tactility and/or sensitivity and who will not expose the gloves to harsh treatment. The 14- mil glove set is used by personnel such as aviators, vehicle mechanics, and weapon crews whose tasks require tactility and sensitivity and who will not expose the gloves to harsh treatment. The more durable, 25-mil glove set is used by personnel who perform close combat tasks and other types of heavy labor. The glove protects against CB agents and alpha and beta radioactive particles as long as they remain serviceable. If the 14- and 25- mil glove sets become contaminated with liquid chemical agents, decontaminate or replace them within 24 hours after exposure. If the 7-mil glove set becomes contaminated, replace or decontaminate them within 6 hours after exposure. The contaminated gloves may be decontaminated with a 5 percent chlorine solution or a 5 percent HTH and water solution. Primary users include all the services.
Green Vinyl Overshoe, Black Vinyl Overshoe, and Multipurpose Lightweight Overboot. The GVO is a plain, olive drab (OD) green, vinyl overshoe with elastic fasteners. The BVO is very similar to the GVO, except for the color and enlarged tabs on each elastic fastener. Personnel can wear the GVO or BVO over their combat boots to protect their feet from contamination by all known agents, vectors, and radiological particles (alpha and beta) for a maximum of 60 days. Protection continues if the GVO/BVO remains serviceable. Wearing the GVO/BVO with combat boots provides 24 hours of protection against all known CB agents following contamination. Decontaminate the GVO/BVO with a 5 percent HTH and water solution or a 5 percent household bleach and water solution. If signs of deterioration occur following decontamination, replace the overshoe. The MULO is also designed to be worn over combat boots, jungle boots, and intermediate cold/wet boots. The MULO provides 60 days of durability and 24 hours of protection against CB agents. The primary users include all services.
Chemical Protective Footwear Cover. The CPFC is impermeable and protects feet from CB agents, vectors, and radiological dust particles for a minimum of 24 hours, as long as it remains serviceable. CPFCs can be decontaminated using a 5 percent chlorine solution. The USN continues to use the CPFC.
Chemical Protective Helmet Cover. The chemical protective helmet cover is a one-piece configuration made of butyl-coated nylon cloth and gathered at the opening by elastic webbing enclosed in the hem. The cover comes in one size and is OD green color. The helmet cover protects the helmet from CB contamination and radioactive alpha and beta particles. The primary users include USA and USMC units.
Joint Firefighter Integrated Response Ensemble. The joint firefighter integrated response ensemble (J-FIRE) configuration consists of a chemical protective overgarment (JSLIST), a firefighter proximity suit, a hood, a modified structural helmet, CB butyl rubber gloves with liners, fire-protective gloves, fire-protective boots, a SCBA with a CW kit, and a carrying bag. The J-FIRE ensemble may contain a proximity glove with built-in CP features instead of the separate butyl rubber and fire-protective gloves. The primary users include special-purpose teams such as firefighters.
NBC Protective Cover. The NBC protective cover is a lightweight cover for use in preventing liquid contamination of supplies and equipment. The cover also provides a barrier between covered supplies and liquid agents and radioactive dust. Protection time against liquid agents is 48 hours. The cover can provide protection for up to 6 weeks without agent exposure before it begins to break down due to environmental conditions.
