Citation

Schmidt M. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1981; 1981: 686-690.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Five different methods for determining breath alcohol concentrations have been studied in our company: (1) alcotest tubes are inexpensive and easy to handle, they need however some experience for correct reading the test result and give only yes/no results. (2) electrochemical cells are limited in their accuracy in quick repetition of tests but they exhibit good long term stability. (3) devices comprising semiconductor gas sensors are appropriate for repetitive tests, because of reduced long term stability they need calibration in regular intervals. (4) gas chromatography is capable of excluding interference from vapours other than ethanol, though they are restricted to desk top size and need external carrier gas supply. (5) infrared absorption is an ideal measuring principle both for screening and evidential applications because of high accuracy and the possibility of tracking the breath alcohol concentration and on-line determination of the presence of alveolar air. The devices, however, have desk top size and are comparatively expensive. Methods (1) to (3) are appropriate for roadside screening tests, each under different conditions, (4) for evidential tests in police stations, and (5) for both precise screening and evidential tests. Optimum control of alcohol intoxication requires different test devices suiting the test situation. (TRRL)