Evidential breath ethanol analyzers, accuracy and sensitivity to breath acetone

The purposes of this study included the examination of the relative accuracy of a number of evidential breath analyzers available in the United States, the sensitivity of ethanol breath analyzers to simulated breath acetone and the generation and subsequent interference created by endogenous acetone. This study used both laboratory simulation and human ethanol testing as well as a systematic examination of the sensitivity of various ethanol breath test instruments to both endogenous and simulated breath acetone. The results suggest that when evidential breath ethanol testers are administered in a uniform fashion, consistent and reliable results occur. Further, endogenous and simulated breath acetone can effect infrared ethanol breath testers but at levels in the case of endogenous acetone, in a non-significant fashion. Simulated breath acetone, consistent with other research produced selective interference on evaluation of breath instruments. The instruments utilizing wavelength 3.4 microns infrared bands were affected the greatest. Endogenous breath and blood acetone was demonstrated in a non-diabetic. The resulting breath acetone levels did produce mimicked ethanol levels on all single wavelength (3.4 microns range) instruments. Nine micron IR range instruments and the Breathalyzer 900 which utilizes a wet chemical procedure were unaffected by endogenous acetone. Those instruments equipped with acetone detectors, found in certain instruments, did not identify endogenously produced acetone.