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

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.

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