MOPP (acronym pronounced as "mop") is a military

Military

A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...

 term used to describe protective gear to be used in a toxic environment, i.e., during a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN

CBRN

CBRN is an initialism for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear. It is used to refer to situations in which any of these four hazards have presented themselves. The term CBRN is a replacement for the cold war term NBC , which had replaced the term ABC that was used in the fifties...

) strike:

• Protective mask
  Gas mask
  A gas mask is a mask put on over the face to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Some gas masks are also respirators, though the word...
  
   — Commonly referred to as a gas mask
  Gas mask
  A gas mask is a mask put on over the face to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Some gas masks are also respirators, though the word...
  
   or pro mask. It is designed to filter harmful chemical and biological agents, as well as irradiated particles from the air to allow the wearer to breathe safely. No protective masks filter out gasses such as carbon monoxide
  Carbon monoxide
  Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
  
  , and in situations requiring that level of protection, external breathing apparatus is employed.
• Mask carrier — Protects the mask from damage. It is usually worn as part of battle gear for easy access and usually contains a technical manual, extra filter, spare parts, chemical detection papers, and nerve agent
  Nerve agent
  Nerve agents are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals that disrupt the mechanism by which nerves transfer messages to organs...
  
   antidote
  Antidote
  An antidote is a substance which can counteract a form of poisoning. The term ultimately derives from the Greek αντιδιδοναι antididonai, "given against"....
  
   kits (NAAK).
• Over garments — Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST) Specially designed clothing to be worn over the normal uniform. These garments are designed to allow maximum airflow for cooling while keeping chemical and biological agents from reaching the skin
  Skin
  -Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...
  
   of the wearer. Some are equipped with a charcoal
  Charcoal
  Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
  
   lining to neutralize some agents. Military personnel often equip over garments with strips of M9 Detector Paper to identify chemical agents on the battlefield they might come in contact with.
• Gloves and overboots — (JSLIST) Highly durable rubber
  Rubber
  Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
  
  , designed with combat operations in mind. Used to prevent contact with agents.

MOPP protection levels

Each MOPP level corresponds to an increasing level of protection. The readiness level will usually be dictated by the in-theatre commander.

• MOPP Ready — Protective mask worn in carrier, at side. Overgarments, gloves, and overboots stored at a nearby location.
• MOPP Level 0 — Protective mask worn in carrier, at side. Overgarments, gloves, and overboots accessible.
• MOPP Level 1 — Overgarments worn, chemical agent detectors worn, mask worn in carrier at side. Gloves and overboots readily accessible.
• MOPP Level 2 — Overgarments and overboots worn. Gloves and mask readily accessible.
• MOPP Level 3 — Mask, overgarments, and overboots worn. Gloves kept ready.
• MOPP Level 4 — All protection worn.

External links

• Mission-Oriented Protective Postures (MOPP)