pressure packed, air evacuated, and heat sealed. It is
then placed in a polyethylene bag and heat sealed. The
overgarment has a shelf life of 5 years when unopened.
The protective overgarment protects against all
CBR agents and is permeable to water vapor. Once
removed from its protective envelope, it has a shelf life
of 14 days in a nonchemical environment. If it is opened
but uncontaminated, keep it for training purposes. Once
exposed to chemical contamination, the overgarment
provides 6 hours of continuous protection, after which it
should be discarded.
CHEMICAL-PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR
COVERS.—The chemical-protective footwear covers
(overboots) are worn over the standard work shoe and
provide protection to the feet against exposure to all
known concentrations of nerve and blister agents. The
overboots are made of loose-fitting, impermeable, butyl
sheet rubber and have a premolded, nonslip, butyl
rubber sole. The overboot is approximately 16 inches
high with a grommet lace closure, including five eyelets
to allow lacing around the foot. The overboots are
available in two sizes and can be worn on either foot.
They are issued in a polyethylene bag with two pairs of
laces and an instruction sheet. Upon contamination, the
overboots provide 6 hours of protection from agent
penetration.
CHEMICAL-PROTECTIVE
GLOVE
SET.—The chemical-protective glove set is worn to
protect the hands against nerve and blister agents,
liquids, and vapors. The set consists of an outer glove to
provide chemical protection and an inner glove to assist
in absorption of perspiration. The five-finger outer
glove is made of impermeable, unsupported, black butyl
rubber and is manufactured for both the right and left
hand. The thin, white cotton inner glove can be worn on
either hand. The glove set is issued in a clear
polyethylene bag with an instruction sheet.
The black outer glove protects against chemical
agent vapors, aerosols, and small droplets. Upon
contamination, the set provides at least 6 hours of
protection from agent penetration. These gloves, in
good condition, can be decontaminated and reissued.
Wet-Weather Clothing
Wet-weather clothing (refer back to fig. 13-10) is
often described as impermeable or rubberized clothing.
Its value results from the fact that the previously
described impregnated/protective clothing can be
13-20
Student Notes:
Figure 13-10.—Types of chemical-protective overgarments.
