The ZPJ-80 was a decontamination kit available to Civilni Obrana (CSLA used IPB-80), and first appeared in 1980. The ZPJ kits replaced the OZB decontamination kit from the 1960s. The OZB itself was the simplified version of the CSLA IPB-60 (which itself is similar to the Soviet IPP-51 kit). The box can be found with 'ZPJ-80' either printed in blue on the front or a sticker on the front with 'ZPJ-80' in black.
Kit overview[]
Bottle of eyewash
Bottle of bentonite
The ZPJ was issued in a cardboard sleeve with 'ZJP-80' printed on it. The box itself was made of plastic and was sealed with fabric tape. The kits consist of the following: Cotton wipes, 2 bottles of decontamination solutions, a bottle of 'Dikacid', a bar of decontamination soap and a small sponge.
The first bottle of decontamination solution was a fine white powder. This powder was acid-treated Bentonite. Bentonite was used because it was relatively cheap and domestically available - North and North-western Czechia has 20 major deposits of bentonite.
The second bottle of decontamination solution was a liquid based decontaminant. According to the instructions stuck on the bottle, it can be used as an eye-wash or used in burn treatment.
The decontamination soap was sourced from Montmorillonites found in South Czechia. Montmorillonites are minerals that, due to their structure, are capable of adsorbing various liquids (in this case, droplets or residue of chemical weapons).
A small bottle of Dikacid was supplied with each ZPJ-80 kit. Dikacid (Sodium dichloroisocyanurate), was used as a water disinfectant. Each bottle contained 50 tablets.
A piece of sponge was added to each kit. This was intended to hold a syringe in place. The syringe most likely contained some form of nerve gas antidote (atropine). The Czechoslovak authorities later decided to not issue the syringe in ZPJ-80 kits. This was probably a cost-saving feature.
Gallery[]
