A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR THE STORAGE AND ANALYSIS OF BREATH ALCOHOL SAMPLES

A system is described for the field collection and storage of a subject's breath alcohol for subsequent laboratory analysis. The device consists of a glass tube packed with silica gel to adsorb the alcohol as the breath passes through into a measuring bag (1 litre). For the analysis, the gel is transferred to a glass flask (0.2 dl), treated with desorbent solution, equilibrated at 47 deg C and analysed by a head-space method using a lion alcolmeter ae-d1. The display shows the breath or blood alcohol concentration directly, calibration being effected using a synebriate or nalco vapour standard. In vitro studies to date have shown the method to be linear up to 500 mg per cent BAC and the tubes to be stable for at least three months when stored at ambient temperatures. In vivo studies have shown that a subject's BAC can generally be determined to within 6 mg per cent at least three months after the original breath sampling. It is hoped to incorporate the system into the new lion auto-alcolmeter evidential breath alcohol analyser. This will provide two stored breath samples per subject, thereby overcoming one of the commonly cited limitations of such instruments. (TRRL)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings, Volume II, 8th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, June 15-19, 1980, Stockholm.
• Corporate Authors:

  Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

  Medicinska Fakulteten
  Stockholm,   Sweden 
• Authors:
  • WILLIAMS, P M
  • Jones, T P
• Conference:
  • Proceedings, Volume II, 8th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, June 15-19, 1980, Stockholm.
• Publication Date: 1981

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 663-676

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol breath tests; Alcohols; Blood alcohol levels; Chemical analysis; Conferences; Handling and storage; Laboratories; Methodology; Samples; Storage facilities
• ITRD Terms: 1542: Alcohol test; 1553: Blood alcohol content; 7163: Chemical analysis; 8525: Conference; 6237: Laboratory (not an organization); 9102: Method; 9137: Storage
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00361236
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)
• Report/Paper Numbers: REPORT
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 1982 12:00AM