Alcohawk Precision Owner's Manual - Page 3

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When performing a breath alcohol test, it is necessary to analyze an

alveolar or deep lung air sample. If the test sample is not based on a

deep lung sample, the sample analyzed could be diluted with breath of

lower alcohol concentration from the upper respiratory tract. This would

result in a lower than optimum test result. As a result, breath alcohol

testers listed on the Department of Transportation (DOT), National

Highway Trafﬁc Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Conforming Products

List of Screening Devices To Measure Alcohol in Bodily Fluids, typically

have protocols which require the subject to deliver at least 1.5 liters, or

continuous blowing into the unit for least ﬁve (5) seconds.

the testing can be aborted or marked as unacceptable.

Federal Register: May 4, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 87)

Description Of Testing System

This device contains a sensor chip designed to test for the presence of

alcohol. A thick ﬁlm heater is printed on the reverse of the chip placed

in the plastic housing. The metal oxide material is heated to a speciﬁc

temperature. The resistance of sensing material changes rapidly

according to gas concentration changes, thereby enabling the reading

of alcohol concentration by resistance measurement. This alcohol

concentration is directly related (as explained in the above paragraph)

to the concentration of alcohol in the blood. Therefore, this device can

give a reading that reﬂects an estimate of the concentration of alcohol in

the blood.

Dose-speciﬁc Effects Of Alcohol Intoxication

The effects of alcohol intoxication are greatly inﬂuenced by individual

variations among users, as well as other factors such as altitude and

air temperature. The following are general dose-speciﬁcs effects of

alcohol, although some users may become intoxicated at a much lower

BAC than shown below. Because a safe reading on a breath alcohol

Otherwise,

screener does not mean that a driver's reaction times can respond to

any emergency encountered, do not drink alcohol and drive.

Some states prohibit driving with a .08% BAC or above reading, and

in many states, individuals can be prosecuted for driving under the

inﬂuence at any level.

Some states also prohibit driving commercial vehicles or any vessel

with .04% or more. There is no safe way to drive under the inﬂuence of

alcohol. Even one drink can make you unsafe.

BAC

Dose-Speciﬁc Effects

0.02-0.03%

Generally no loss of coordination, slight euphoria or loss of shyness.

Depressant effects are not apparent.

0.04-0.06%

General feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower inhibitions, sensation

of warmth. Euphoria. Some minor impairment of reasoning and

memory, lowering of caution. Driving skills may be impaired at this

level of intoxication.

0.07-0.09%

Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and

hearing. Euphoria. Judgment and self-control are reduced, and

caution, reason and memory are impaired. Driving skills are always

impaired at this level of intoxication.

Signiﬁcant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good

0.10-0.125%

judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time and

hearing will be impaired. Euphoria.

0.13-0.15%

Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred

vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria

is beginning to appear.

0.16-0.20%

Dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness) predominates, nausea may appear.

The drinker has the appearance of a "sloppy drunk."

0.25%-0.29%

Needs assistance in walking; total mental confusion. Dysphoria with

nausea and some vomiting.

0.30%-0.39%

Loss of consciousness.

0.40% +

Onset of coma, possible death due to respiratory arrest.

Bailey, William J., Drug Use in American Society, 3rd ed., Minneapolis: Burgess, 1993.

Some individuals may experience impairment at BAC levels at .03% or even lower.