Citation

Westenbrink W, Sauvé LT. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 1991; 24(1): 23-35.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00085030.1991.10756980

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Twelve different inhaler preparations available for use by asthmatics were investigated for their effect on the A.L.E.R.T. J3A, Breathalyzer® Model 900A, and the Mark IV Gas Chromatograph (G.C.) Intoximeter. Five subjects inhaled separate doses of each preparation at different times and provided samples of their breath into each instrument, both prior to and after the consumption of ethanol. False high readings were obtained on all three instruments immediately following the use of the inhalers containing ethanol. The mean inhaled ethanol dissipation time was 3.6 minutes with a range of 2 to 8 minutes. All inhalers containing freons as propellents produced chromatographic peaks in the Mark IV G.C. Intoximeter. Only those inhalers containing Freon 114 produced peaks which interfered with the ethanol peak. If breath samples were obtained 4 minutes after inhaler use, this interference was eliminated. The fifteen minute waiting period, currently in use with respect to mouth alcohol, will eliminate any potential interferences caused by asthma inhalers on the A.L.E.R.T. J3A, Breathalyzer® 900A and the Mark IV G.C. Intoximeter.