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Review Article

Six Generations of Breath Alcohol Testing Instruments: Changes in the Detection of Breath Alcohol Since 1930. An Historical Overview

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Pages 276-283 | Published online: 22 Nov 2013
 

ABSTRACT

This historical overview of breath alcohol technology examines the changes in breath alcohol detection from approximately 1930 onward. There have been tremendous changes in technology over this time period from slow, manually-operated, wet-chemical instruments like the Drunkometer or Breathalyzer to automatic rapid, computerized infrared (IR) instruments like the Intoxilyzer 8000C. There have been approximately six generations of breath alcohol testing instruments that have been used in Canada and are listed according to the method of analysis for breath. The role of the Alcohol Test Committee in responding to these changes is discussed.

RÉSUMÉ

Cet article pose un regard sur l'évolution technologique, de 1930 à aujourd'hui, des instruments utilisés pour la détection de l'alcool dans l'haleine. Des changements considérables ont eu lieu depuis la période où, lentement, les premiers tests s'effectuaient manuellement avec des instruments tels que le Drunkometer ou le Breathalyzer. De nos jours, les appareils sont rapides et à la fine pointe de la technologie; l'Intoxilyzer 8000C à détection infra-rouge en est un bon exemple. Six générations d'instruments utilisés au Canada se sont succédé pour la détection de l'alcool dans l'haleine. Ces instruments sont énumérés en fonction de leur principe d'analyse. Cet article présente également le rôle joué par le Comité des analyses d'alcool en réponse à ces changements.

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