Effect of eight solvents on ethanol analysis by Dräger 7110 Evidential breath analyzer.
The Dräger 7110 MK III FIN Evidential breath analyzer is classified as a quantitative analyzer capable to provide sufficient evidence for establishing legal intoxication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ethanol specificity of this instrument in the presence of other solvents. Effects of eight possible interfering compounds on ethanol analysis were determined in a procedure simulating a human breathing. Most of the compounds studied had either a negligible effect on ethanol analysis (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone) or were detected in very low concentrations before influencing ethanol readings (methanol, ethyl acetate, and diethyl ether). However, 1-propanol and 2-propanol increased the ethanol readings significantly. Thus, Dräger ethanol readings should be interpreted carefully in the presence of propanol.
Hyvinkää Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Hyvinkää, Finland.
Olli
O
Laakso
Teemu
T
Pennanen
Kimmo
K
Himberg
Tapio
T
Kuitunen
Jaakko-Juhani
JJ
Himberg
D000433:1-Propanol / Q000032:analysis; D019840:2-Propanol / Q000032:analysis; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000032:analysis*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000032:analysis*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D012997:Solvents / Q000032:analysis*
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol; D000433:1-Propanol; D019840:2-Propanol