KBRN, Chemical , Biological , radiological And Nuclear risks It is a technical term that expresses . Emerging during the Cold War, CBRN protection represents the full range of military and civil defense measures and strategies to confront new types of dangers. These risks arose during World War II: atomic bombs, chemical warfare agents, etc. With the discovery of these new weapons, the term ABC (Atomic, Biological, Chemical) became CBN, then To CBRN transformed .

CBRN protection brings together all measures implemented to protect populations and military forces potentially exposed to CBRN risk and threats. These precautions include CBRN protection, including respiratory protection and skin protection clothing. Personal Protective Equipment , developed specifically for military forces.

Chemical protective clothing

Before choosing the appropriate Chemical Protective Clothing, it is necessary to determine which substances are present in the environment and which ones require protection. Chemical substances are diverse depending on the activity and application area. Troops and individuals who may encounter a CBRN threat or come into contact with these hazardous substances must be trained on each chemical and know its health effects.

Chemicals

Chemical agents, highly toxic liquid, gaseous or solid substances, are listed in two categories: industrial products and chemical weapons. There are various types of chemical agents that pose a CBRN (Nuclear, Radiological, Biological and Chemical) risk.

First of all, if they are listed according to their effect types;

Organophosphorus neurotoxic: It is the most dangerous chemical weapon (e.g. sarin gas, discovered in Germany in 1939 and used during World War II). It penetrates the body through the skin or respiratory tract and causes nervous and vital system dysfunction up to death within minutes.
Vesicant liquid: It is an oily chemical substance that burns the skin. It becomes a gas when added to a solvent. It can cause blindness and cancer. It was first synthesized in 1822 and used as a poisonous war gas in Belgium during World War I.
Asphyxiating or suffocating gas: A volatile liquid that attacks the oral mucous membranes. Rarely used, we can find some in the form of chlorine or phosgene.
Hemotoxic: It is a chemical product that causes asphyxiation by preventing the passage of oxygen in the blood.

They are then classified according to their intended use:

Neutralizing chemical agents render ineffective upon exposure. They can be used to disperse the attack during a terrorist threat. In this case, we are talking about chemical weapons (commonly known as CBRN) used in a military context. Among other chemical agents, there are also industrial products that act differently on the body depending on their properties (respiratory toxicity due to chlorine, systemic toxicity due to cyanide).
The incapacitating agents thought to be used by terrorists cause temporary mental and physical problems that persist long after exposure.
Lethal agents trigger the death of the exposed person. It can be applied in military and terrorist operations.

Choosing the right chemical protective clothing

To choose the right chemical protective clothing, the degree of risk, duration of exposure and the chemical encountered need to be analyzed.

Chemical Protective Clothing, They are indispensable PPE for response teams that may come into contact with chemical vapors, biological aerosols, volatile and hazardous substances. For example, they allow avoiding contact with decontamination agents, contaminated materials, chemical or organic substances.

Type 4 chemical suits are the first level of protection. It is impermeable to aerosols but has little resistance to liquids. It is either designed to detect “suspicious dust” or is used as a substrate.
Type 3 clothing, called TLD (Light Decontamination Suit), is a disposable coverall. It is made of plastic, is very resistant to liquids and is waterproof. However, you should avoid wearing it for too long. The CHEM 3 garment is splash and liquid resistant and made from an innovative material that offers undeniable comfort.
Protective suit for permanent wear (T3P) has several layers, including a layer made of activated carbon. It has a filtering feature and is more comfortable.

Permanent protective clothing (S3P) is ideal for fighters who can quickly don it during action in a risky area. Provides 24-hour protection and includes composite jacket, hood and trousers

Type 1 chemical protection suit is a complete suit. Among these, the Dräger CPS 7900 and CPS 7800 suits provide optimum protection in extreme conditions. Their ergonomic design allows for compressed air breathing apparatus that can be inside or outside the suit. Clothing designed with an innovative material is resistant to solid, liquid and gaseous chemicals. It also provides effective protection against biological agents, toxic substances and CBRN risks.

respiratory protection

The CBRN mask is an integral part of the respiratory protection package. Manufacturers develop the device according to the guidelines and regulations governing the US NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) CBRN standard.

CBRN Classified Cartridges

The CBRN mask features universal thread (DIN40) to connect a wide range of 40mm filter cartridges in accordance with NATO and European Union guidelines (EN 148-1). As with any filtered respiratory protective equipment, the effectiveness of a CBRN mask depends on the CBRN filter.

The CBRN cartridge has three filters: The first is a separator that separates 98 percent of coarse dust; the second is a filter made of paper that retains particles of biological matter; The third level is the active carbon filter that prevents the remaining gases from leaking.

A CBRN filter, also called a civil protection filter or NATO filter, must be NIOSH certified. It provides protection against biological, radiological and nuclear agents in the air. In addition to this protection, CBRN filters are available across the entire range of ABEK combination filters. They can fit all standard full face masks. For example, a military gas mask will receive an A2B2E2K1-P3 filter for protection against organic and inorganic gases and vapors, acids, ammonia, organic derivatives, solid and liquid particles, and CBRN agents. Therefore, CBRN filters are suitable for the most challenging environments such as civil and military defense interventions.

CBRN Mask

A CBRN mask, more commonly known as a military gas mask, is a PPE designed to withstand chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards. This respiratory protective equipment is mainly for law enforcement and military.

This PPE, specifically CBRN masks dedicated to military and national civil security applications, is often developed specifically for a country (known as the Soviet gas mask or Israeli military mask). They are not usually commercially available.

The military gas mask provides a high level of protection against nuclear, chemical, radiological and biological factors. It is a full face mask that protects the respiratory tract (nose and mouth) and eyes for maximum safety. The CBRN mask is designed to offer its wearer comfort and the best protection during civil and military security applications. It has a wide field of view, black color to prevent glare and an ergonomic design that provides high performance.

NIOSH CBRN certified, this equipment must meet a number of technical requirements to guarantee its effectiveness: durability and performance of all elements, impact and temperature resistance, filtering, insulation, soundproofing performance, etc.

Independent Breathing Apparatus

It is essential to choose the SCBA that best suits the application area and the risks involved. Therefore, we can find devices specifically designed for decontamination or removal of hazardous substances. These are sturdy, comfortable and flexible so that the user feels comfortable in their movements. SCBAs are versatile, easily configurable and low maintenance.

In addition to SCBAs, some accessories are indispensable in equipment against CBRN risks:

CBRN gloves are important because hands are in direct contact with liquid, solid or gaseous chemical elements. Different materials depend on the chemical risks encountered:
- Nitrile fights against oil and hydrocarbons, but also against bacteria and viruses. Therefore, nitrile gloves are suitable for the chemical, automotive and food industries.
- Butyl protects against toxic or corrosive chemical splashes and gases. It is very durable and suitable for oil and chemical industries.
- Cryogenic gloves are designed to protect against cold, such as liquid nitrogen projections.
Shoes are generally not waterproof enough to protect against CBRN risks. Therefore, it is necessary to provide boots or over-the-boot shoes that protect the feet from contact with splashes.

An individual CBRN protection kit is available in each country. All armed forces may have protective clothing, identification and detection equipment, and respiratory protection equipment that filters or isolates.