What type of agents can the M9 chemical agent detector paper detect?

The M9 chemical agent detector paper is specifically designed to detect liquid chemical agents, particularly those that are known and classified within military and safety contexts. The primary functionality of this paper involves colorimetric reactions that occur when it comes into contact with certain chemical agents, indicating the presence of those agents through a change in color.

This detection method is based on the chemical properties of liquid agents, ensuring reliable identification in field situations. However, the M9 paper does not effectively detect gaseous agents, as it requires contact with a liquid to produce a reaction. Therefore, it cannot detect solid forms unless they are dissolved or in a liquid state.

Understanding this functionality emphasizes the focus of the M9 paper on liquid chemical agents, marking its limitations in detecting other states of matter, such as gases or solids that do not interact with the paper in a way that triggers a visible response.