NBC protective material in Switzerland

Civilian and military purposes

NBC protection material is required for civilian and military purposes alike. Generally, the cantons and the municipalities are responsible for civilian applications. NBC protection material is also used by private institutions.

The NBC protection material used by the army must meet federal standards:

• Personal NBC protection material (C 90 protective suit, NBC 90 protective mask, decontamination powder, paper to detect warfare agents as well as water disinfection and dechlorination tablets) allows military personnel to protect themselves effectively against the effects of NBC incidents.
• Military personnel can also take medical protective measures by using the appropriate medication (pyridostigmine tablets, Combopen syringes, diazepam syringes and potassium iodide tablets).
• Detection and measuring equipment (CADK, CNG 97, A 04 trace detection equipment and 04 dosimeter) enable troops to detect NBC contamination, to evaluate it and to keep track of its development.
• Decontamination resources (decontamination powder and the 85 decontamination device) mean that troops can carry out immediate or provisional decontamination procedures to give themselves a certain room for manoeuvre following operations involving NBC or toxic substances.