A nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) canister was indigenously developed using active
carbon impregnated with ammoniacal salts of copper (II), chromium (VI) and silver (I),
and high efficiency particulate aerosol filter media. The NBC canister was evaluated against
carbon tetra chloride (CCl4) vapours, which were used as a simulant for persistent chemical
warfare agents under dynamic conditions for testing breakthrough times of canisters of gas
masks in the National Approval Test of Respirators. The effects of CCl4 concentration, test
flow rate, temperature, and relative humidity (RH) on the breakthrough time of the NBC
canister against CCl4 vapour were also studied. The impregnated carbon that filled the NBC
canister was characterized for surface area and pore volume by N2 adsorption-desorption
isotherm at liquid nitrogen temperature. The study clearly indicated that the NBC canister
provides adequate protection against CCl4 vapours. The breakthrough time decreased with
the increase of the CCl4 concentration and flow rate. The variation in temperature and RH
did not significantly affect the breakthrough behaviour of the NBC canister at high vapour
concentration of CCl4, whereas the breakthrough time of the NBC canister was reduced by
an increase of RH at low CCl4 vapour concentration.