Influence from breathing pattern on alcohol and tracer gas expirograms--implications for alcolock use.

Abstract

Measurement of breath alcohol concentration is strongly influenced by timing and the breathing pattern. In particular, shallow expiration and hyperventilation leads to underestimation of the breath alcohol concentration. In the present study, expirograms of alcohol, water and carbon dioxide were recorded in 30 healthy individuals at various breathing manoeuvres (tidal volume, slow maximum and vital capacity expiration, breath holding, and hyperventilation). Estimation of the end expiratory alcohol concentration with the use of simultaneously measured carbon dioxide was shown to reverse the tendency of underestimation at shallow expiration and hyperventilation. These findings indicate that breath alcohol estimations can be performed at shorter expiration time and reduced expired volume compared to existing alcolocks. This is believed to improve their usability and to prevent a possible route for manipulation.

• Authors: Annika Kaisdotter Andersson, Bertil Hök, Mikael Ekström, Göran Hedenstierna
• Journal: Forensic science international (Forensic Sci Int) Vol. 206 Issue 1-3 Pg. 52-7 (Mar 20 2011) ISSN: 1872-6283 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 20619980 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Central Nervous System Depressants
• Water
• Carbon Dioxide
• Ethanol

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Breath Tests
• Carbon Dioxide (metabolism)
• Central Nervous System Depressants (pharmacokinetics)
• Ethanol (pharmacokinetics)
• Female
• Forensic Toxicology
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Regression Analysis
• Respiratory Mechanics
• Substance Abuse Detection (methods)
• Tidal Volume
• Vital Capacity
• Water (metabolism)
• Young Adult