To achieve the removal of a broad spectrum of chemical hazards, multiple layers of impregnated activated carbon and nanocrystalline materials are incorporated into the adsorbent bed. For optimum performance using the least amount of material, a two-layer configuration is used. The top layer consists of a homogeneous mixture of an MgO/CaO based nanocrystalline material (e.g., Mg/Ca) and Kureha or other petroleum pitch-based bead shaped activated carbon impregnated treated with phosphoric acid. The bottom layer is comprised of a single layer of Calgon URC carbon. The volume ratios of the components are 9:5:11 Mg/Ca, phosphoric acid treated Kureha carbon, and URC, respectively. The new configuration leads to a 30% reduction in size of the existing NIOSH CBRN CAP 1 cartridge. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.