What chemical agents does the M256A1 chemical agent detector kit specifically detect?

The M256A1 chemical agent detector kit is specifically designed to detect nerve agents, blood agents, and blister agents. This kit utilizes a series of specialized reagents that react with these types of chemical agents, allowing for their identification through color changes or other reactions observed during field tests.

Nerve agents, such as sarin and VX, are highly toxic compounds that disrupt the normal functioning of the nervous system, while blood agents, like cyanide, impede the ability of blood to carry oxygen. Blister agents, such as mustard gas, cause severe irritation and damage to the skin and respiratory system. The M256A1 kit's ability to identify these agents is crucial for rapid reconnaissance in potentially contaminated environments, ensuring that military and emergency response personnel can take appropriate protective measures.

The other options listed do not fall within the capabilities of the M256A1 kit. Gaseous ammonia, while a chemical compound, is not classified under the main chemical warfare agents the kit is intended to detect. Biological agents and radiological substances are entirely different categories; biological agents require different detection technologies, and radiological substances involve detection methods that measure radiation rather than chemical reactions specific to the agents identified by the M256A1 kit.