| Title | Special Testing for Possible Carry Over Effects Using the Intoximeters, Inc. Alco-Sensor IV at 10 Degrees Celsius |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 26064 |
| Personal Name Creator |
Conde, Edward |
| Source | 6p. |
| Corporate Creator | John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.) |
| Corporate Contributor |
United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Publisher | United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Publication Date | 20020300 |
| Language | English |
| Abstract | Laboratory testing showed that when simulator samples at 0.170 grams of ethanol per 210 liters were repeatedly tested with an Intoximeters, Ins. Alco-Sensor IV at 10 degrees C ambient temperature, some ethanol and water eventually condensed onto the cool airway surfaces of the instrument. When the instrument was operated in screener mode without any heating element and without proper protocols, some of this alcoholic condensate carried over to subsequent screening tests. However, no carry over was seen when the Alco-Sensor IV was operated in the evidential mode, or when the optional CEM heating accessory was used, or when proper test protocols were used. The results show that the possibility for the occurrence of carry over in breath testing must be addressed when operating at low ambient temperatures, particularly when using unheated breath testers. The results also show that the potential for carry over can be eliminated easily by using procedural controls, such as performing an air blank before the test, or by testing two separate breath samples and/or by using a warm air flushing of the breath tester airway. A table listing all breath testers on both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Conforming Products List (CPL) for Screening Devices, as well as the Evidential Breath Tester CPL indicates whether specific devices have a built-in heater, or a flushing pump, and whether the instructions accompanying them address the possibility of alcohol carry over during low temperature operations. /Abstract from report summary page/ |
| Rosap ID | dot:1733 |
| Rosap URL | https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/1733 |
| TRT Terms | Alcohol breath tests; Equipment tests; Drunk driving; Accuracy; Evidence |
| General Subjects | Impaired driving, Alcohol |
| Classification | NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Highway Safety; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors |
| Geographical Coverage |
United States |
| TRIS Online Accession No |
925948 |
| Contract Number | PPA-234 |
| Report Number | DOT-HS-809-424 |
| Availability | NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Research; Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center |
| Resource type | Tech Report |
| URL | https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/26000/26000/26064/DOT-HS-809-424.pdf |
| Alternative URL | http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/alcohol/carryout/index.htm |
| Format | |
| Database | NTL Digital Repository |