Breathalyzer and Kitagawa-Wright Methods of Measuring Breath Alcohol

Abstract

Breath-alcohol levels reflect blood-alcohol levels, since an equilibrium exists between pulmonary blood and alveolar air. Three methods of estimating breath alcohol have been studied: the breathalyzer using samples collected directly, the breathalyzer using samples stored in plastic bags and the Kitagawa-Wright method. Various doses of distilled spirits were given to 18 healthy young men and the alcohol content of their alveolar air was measured each half-hour for several hours; using the three methods ; venous blood was also analysed chemically for alcohol on three occasions in each subject, by the Nickolls method, at times when the arterinvennus difference would be negligible. All three methods of breath analysis were suitable for practical use, the readings were reproducible, and they correlated well with blood analysis. Experiments showed that the error in breath-alcohol readings due to alcohol in the mouth was negligible 15 minutes after the drink. The merits of breath-alcohol analysis and of the breathalyzer, breathalyzer bags, and Kitagawa-Wright instrument are discussed. © 1964, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.