breath alcohol analyzer

Home > Breathalyzer > breath alcohol analyzer

December 14th, 2009 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

There are several methods available for alcohol testing. Alcohol can be tested in the blood, breath, urine and saliva.

Blood Alcohol Test

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is considered the standard for measuring the degree to which an individual is affected by alcohol. For years studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between blood alcohol concentration and the rate of responses and decisions are affected. The method for testing blood alcohol and gas chromatography is the most accurate forensic quality test in the industry today. However, drawing blood is an invasive and expensive procedure that most businesses prefer to avoid.

Breath Alcohol Testing

It is well established that a direct link between the alcohol concentration in the blood of a person and their breath alcohol content. During breathing gas is exchanged from the lungs to the blood (primarily oxygen) during inhalation, and visa versa (primarily C02) during exhalation. During this exchange, the alcohol blood evaporates and is carried from the lungs in the exhaled air. There are different types of breath alcohol testers available today. These range from single screening testers to the equipment legally admissible results, including very expensive digital readout provides breath alcohol monitors. These types of testers fall into three categories:

Evidence Strength Breath Testing Devices
Not Proof Power Portable Hand Held Devices
Disposable Devices (provides non forensic results)

The evidential breath testing devices are generally expensive (costs range from $ 2000 - $ 5000 per unit), require regular maintenance, repair and calibration, and must be performed by certified personnel. Attachments such as sterile mouth pieces must be used every time a test is performed. These units are large table units designed to be used in one location. Movement can cause a change in the calibration will be maintained.

The hand held portable devices provide fairly accurate results and be used for screening purposes. By measuring the alcohol in the breath, a reliable indicator of alcohol in the blood level is reached. Portables devices are less accurate than evidential devices, however, by comparing the price performance ratio, these devices are affordable and adequate for personal use. Most devices are not drinking as evidence and can not be used in court.

The available tools are non-invasive, less accurate and non scalable methods of screening for alcohol. Can be used to detect the presence of alcohol with a rough estimate of the degree of degradation. If disposable, the cost per test for preliminary screening is significantly higher than the cost of testing using portable devices.

Here is how they work The ethyl alcohol in the blood escapes through the lung tissue into the exhaled air. The presence of ethyl alcohol in the breath is detectable by a color change of very sensitive chemically coated crystals in the Disposable Breath Analyzer. Immediately prior to use, the ampoule is ruptured by slight finger pressure on the outer clear flexible tube inside crystals Fri the boundaries of the tube. If the subject breathes into the tube, interacting with breath vapor and crystals change color from yellow to blue if alcohol is present. If all the crystals change color completely, this indicates that the alcohol in the blood of the subject is more than 0.10%, more than the legal limit in most states.

Urine Alcohol Testing

Although urine alcohol testing alcohol in the presence of a person does, it will not indicate the current status of the individual. Once consumed alcohol in the blood the stomach within 15 minutes, allowing immediate depreciation. It is metabolized by the body and, after 1Â ½ to 2 hours, will begin to appear in the urine. Therefore the urine alcohol not measure a true condition of the person. The results indicate the condition several hours before.

Furthermore, urine alcohol concentration does not directly correspond blood alcohol concentration. Urine alcohol concentration will vary depending on the metabolism of the person and the amount of fluid in his system. For example, a person who slightly dehydrated will tend to have a higher concentration of alcohol in their urine than someone who is a normal level of fluid in his system to have.

At least one study has indicated that a false positive for urine alcohol may occur. High levels of sugar and acetone in the body can cause fermentation in the urine, creating a false positive for urine alcohol. All in all, the urine test alcohol is the least preferred, or perhaps test available for alcohol testing. It is worthwhile to support a research published read in THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY: ERRORS OF CONVERTING A VALUE IN ALCOHOL a urine alcohol level in blood. SIDNEY KAYE, Ph.D., and Eduardo CARDONA, MS

Saliva Alcohol Testing

The second type of disposable tester available today saliva test the presence of alcohol. Although a correlation between blood alcohol concentration and saliva alcohol concentration is presumed to exist, the technology and the chemical reaction is employed to prove the accuracy or reliable.

Saliva testers are treated with an enzyme alcohol oxidize, which responds to alcohol in relation to the concentration of alcohol in a mixed saliva sample the top. The user estimates the BAC by comparing the color change on the test strip patch to standard colors calibrated to correspond to different BACs.

Although some saliva testers seem the presence of alcohol fairly well specified, the enzyme alcohol oxidize used in these testers is simply done by hot and cold temperatures. Hot temperatures will tend to give unduly high readings, while cold temperatures will tend to give a false low readings. Exposure to temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or the air will destroy the enzyme which oxidize alcohol tester useless. Most saliva testers give no indication if contamination has occurred, they just not work. Saliva testers generally have a shelf life of one years or less.

Moreover, most saliva testers have test results from independent laboratories.

Vinotemp Ep-alcoholtest Electronic Alcohol Tester Alcohol Breath Analyzer Keychain

$39.99

Provides a reading demonstrating the user's approximate Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Indicator light-green represents a BAC under .05%, red represents a BAC avbove .08%. Indicator light shows whether the BAC level is safe, alarm or dangerous. Rechargeable via standard USB cord (not included)-unit comes fully charged. 1" W x 2" H x 3/4" D, weighs 2.75 lbs.....

BACtrack Select S80 Breathalyzer Professional Edition

$249.99

KHN Solutions BACTRACK S80 Select Breathalyzer S80 1108...

Alcohawk Slim Digital Alcohol Breath Tester

$32.98

AlcoHAWK Slim Alcohol Detector / Breathalyzer, for easy, accurate, good judgment! SAVE BIG! A digital breath Alcohol Detector / Breathalyzer, quick and effective! So if you want to know how you or someone else stands before getting behind the wheel, this is the deal. It meets DOT / NHTSA model specs for breath alcohol screening devices. It watches like a hawk for safety: Innovative folding mouthpi...

BACTRACK Breathalyzer

...

LCD Digital Alcohol Breath Tester Analyzer Breathalyzer

Quick Response Digital Readout Range - 0.00 - 0.19 BAC Auto Switch Off Wrist strap included Easy to use and convenient to carry The digital readout gives a good indication of your level Audio beep helps you gauge when to start, stop and when it switches on and off Requires 2 x AAA batteries (not included) PLEASE Note: The results are indicative only and are not legally recognized This item is set ...

Alcohawk Q3I-ACC-2550 Slim Mouthpiece - Pack of 50

$18.49

50 MOUTHPIECES FOR THE Q3I2500 ALCOHAWK(R) SLIM DIGITAL BREATH ALCOHOL DETECTOR...

HDE Digital Alcohol Tester Breath Analyzer Breathalyzer

$2.51

Better to be safe than sorry after you've had a few drinks! Keep this portable Digital Alcohol Tester in your purse or car so you'll always know how close you are to the legal limit. The tester is very easy to use and will give a quick and accurate reading. It can detect a range of 0.00~0.19% BAC & 0.0~1.9g/l. Includes hand lanyard for easy carrying. Please Note: While this product is a useful too...

Accubac Digital Alcohol Breath Analyzer

Range: Low, 0.15 ~ 1.5 BAC, Hi or Low, 0.075 ~ 0.75 mg/l, Hi or Low, 0.015 ~ 0.15 %BAC, Hi

Display: Large LCD display & 3 decimal points (eg. 0.023%BAC)
Tolerance compensation: Pre-alert warning when close to allowed limit
Unit Conversion: BAC, %BAC and mg/l
Calibration: Advance user calibration function
Auto power saving: 2 minutes
Breath sampling: about 7 seconds continuous breath sample
Cycle ...

SVAT AL100 Breathalyzer Personal Digital Breath Alcohol Tester Detector Analyzer

$29.99

Personal Alcohol Detector - How often do you wonder if you should be driving home after a night out? The AL100 measures Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in a matter of seconds to help you determine if you or a friend should drive. It is small and compact so you can take it anywhere you go. Ensure your safety and the safety of others who may be driving with you. If you measure over the legal limit call ...

Breathalyzer Personal Digital Breath Alcohol Tester Detector Analyzer - Bonus Pack of 2

$54.99

Ever been stuck at a party wondering if you are too intoxicated to drive? How much is too much? Sometimes it's hard to gauge on your own. This personal alcohol detector measures your blood alcohol level via a breath test anytime you need to know if you've crossed the line between safe and not safe. Just slip it into your pocket or purse, and after a night on the town you can accurately determine i...