page_title: Demilitarization Protective Ensemble
hierarchical_section_title: Demilitarization Protective Ensemble
caption_attribution_description: English: Two workers in demilitarization protective ensemble (DPE) performed maintenance work in an area of the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (NECDF) where chemical agent may have been present. The DPE provided the highest level of protection against agent exposure. To further ensure worker safety, personnel in DPE worked in pairs. The Army completed destruction operations at the NECDF in August 2008.
context_page_description: The Demilitarization Protective Ensemble is a heat-sealed, one-time-use positive pressure personnel suit.
  These airtight suits are used by the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency to provide the highest level of protection against chemical agent exposure for workers accessing areas of chemical weapon disposal plants where chemical weapons are disassembled and the agent destroyed. Workers at Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility and other disposal sites have successfully completed tens of thousands of entries into these areas wearing DPE suits.
  With supporting equipment, the suit weighs about 50 pounds. Donning the suit takes between 30 and 45 minutes, with the assistance of a team of dressers.
  The suit's primary air supply comes through a hose connection to purified air; a self-contained breathing apparatus provides 8 to 10 minutes of escape air in case the primary supply is disrupted. A heart monitor around the wearer's chest checks for signs of distress.
  The suit's gloves have three layers, with thick butyl rubber gloves as the top layer, and the feet of the one-piece suit slip into butyl rubber boots that are then sealed to the suit.
context_section_description: The Demilitarization Protective Ensemble (DPE) is a heat-sealed, one-time-use positive pressure personnel suit. 
  These airtight suits are used by the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency to provide the highest level of protection against chemical agent exposure for workers accessing areas of chemical weapon disposal plants where chemical weapons are disassembled and the agent destroyed. Workers at Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility and other disposal sites have successfully completed tens of thousands of entries into these areas wearing DPE suits.
  With supporting equipment, the suit weighs about 50 pounds. Donning the suit takes between 30 and 45 minutes, with the assistance of a team of dressers.
  The suit's primary air supply comes through a hose connection to purified air; a self-contained breathing apparatus provides 8 to 10 minutes of escape air in case the primary supply is disrupted. A heart monitor around the wearer's chest checks for signs of distress.
  The suit's gloves have three layers, with thick butyl rubber gloves as the top layer, and the feet of the one-piece suit slip into butyl rubber boots that are then sealed to the suit.
  A radio transmitter provides contact with emergency backup personnel, the control room and other support staff.
caption: Two workers in DPE suits perform maintenance work at the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.
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