NCJ Number
129275
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 30 Issue: 6 Dated: (November/December 1990) Pages: 357-361
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
In Great Britain, defendants have claimed that solvent inhalation under normal work conditions artificially raised breath alcohol values on evidential breath tests. In order to investigate the validity of these claims, a study was conducted of two individuals who paint spray cars under normal working conditions without the use of protective clothing or masks.
Abstract
Prior to beginning work, both males were checked for zero breath alcohol levels using a Lion Alcometer S-D2 and the second subject was also tested on the Lion Intoximeter 3000. Both cases studies were performed under adverse working conditions of poor ventilation, small working space, atmospheric pollution, and lack of protective measures. Tests were discontinued when subjects experienced adverse reactions of vapor exposure and inhalation. All readings on both the Alcolmeter S-D2 and the Intoximeter 3000 were zero through the test for the first subject, whereas the second subject showed breath alcohol values of 2-9 micrograms/100 milliliter, which rapidly decreased to normal levels. These results suggest that the Intoximeter results are not due to long term retention of inhaled solvents. Instead, recovery is normally rapid and could show slightly increased breath alcohol levels on evidential breath tests when performed less than 30 minutes after exposure to the solvents was discontinued. 2 tables and 7 references (Author abstract modified)