An evaluation of pocket-model, numerical readout breath alcohol testing instruments

Eight small-scale breath alcohol measurement devices were tested for accuracy, precision and the ability to not yield false positive and false negative readings. These pocket-sized breath testers (PMBTs), which provided numerical readout of BrAC to the 100th of a percent, were smaller than evidenti...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Van Tassel, William Edward
Other Authors: Dennis, Maurice E.
Format: Others
Language:en_US
Published: Texas A&M University 2004
Subjects:
BAC
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/1159
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spelling ndltd-tamu.edu-oai-repository.tamu.edu-1969.1-11592013-01-08T10:37:27ZAn evaluation of pocket-model, numerical readout breath alcohol testing instrumentsVan Tassel, William Edwardbreath alcoholportable alcoholportable testerpersonal alcoholpersonal testpocket-model alcoholpocket modelpocket-model breathhand-held alcoholalcohol testBrACBACEight small-scale breath alcohol measurement devices were tested for accuracy, precision and the ability to not yield false positive and false negative readings. These pocket-sized breath testers (PMBTs), which provided numerical readout of BrAC to the 100th of a percent, were smaller than evidential and preliminary breath test instruments (EBTs and PBTs). The smallest devices were approximately the same size of a cigarette lighter. Designed to provide drinkers feedback about their individual alcohol levels, the PMBTs ranged in price from $40-100 USD. The devices were first tested under laboratory conditions with alcohol solution simulators providing the alcoholic samples. They were then tested with human drinkers, under controlled field conditions. Each device was tested at multiple alcohol levels. Two of the eight PMBTs failed to complete all levels of testing and were excluded from the study. All PMBTs demonstrated the ability to not yield false positive and false negative readings. No device met NHTSA performance criteria for accuracy (systematic error) in testing EBTs at every alcohol level tested. An interaction between PMBTs and the alcohol test levels was found. Thus, accuracy was found to be dependent upon the alcohol level at which the devices were tested. No device met NHTSA performance criteria for precision in testing EBTs at every alcohol level tested. Precision varied depending on the testing condition. There was less precision under controlled field conditions than under laboratory conditions. Five of the six PMBTs that completed the testing overestimated BrAC; only one device read below actual BrAC. Ramifications of the findings are discussed, regarding the overestimation and underestimation of BrAC and the possibility of manufacturers intentionally calibrating the devices to overestimate BrAC. Potential PMBT users are discussed and areas for future research are addressed.Texas A&M UniversityDennis, Maurice E.2004-11-15T19:48:11Z2004-11-15T19:48:11Z2003-082004-11-15T19:48:11ZBookThesisElectronic Dissertationtext757794 bytes216334 byteselectronicapplication/pdftext/plainborn digitalhttp://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/1159en_US
collection NDLTD
language en_US
format Others
sources NDLTD
topic breath alcohol
portable alcohol
portable tester
personal alcohol
personal test
pocket-model alcohol
pocket model
pocket-model breath
hand-held alcohol
alcohol test
BrAC
BAC
spellingShingle breath alcohol
portable alcohol
portable tester
personal alcohol
personal test
pocket-model alcohol
pocket model
pocket-model breath
hand-held alcohol
alcohol test
BrAC
BAC
Van Tassel, William Edward
An evaluation of pocket-model, numerical readout breath alcohol testing instruments
description Eight small-scale breath alcohol measurement devices were tested for accuracy, precision and the ability to not yield false positive and false negative readings. These pocket-sized breath testers (PMBTs), which provided numerical readout of BrAC to the 100th of a percent, were smaller than evidential and preliminary breath test instruments (EBTs and PBTs). The smallest devices were approximately the same size of a cigarette lighter. Designed to provide drinkers feedback about their individual alcohol levels, the PMBTs ranged in price from $40-100 USD. The devices were first tested under laboratory conditions with alcohol solution simulators providing the alcoholic samples. They were then tested with human drinkers, under controlled field conditions. Each device was tested at multiple alcohol levels. Two of the eight PMBTs failed to complete all levels of testing and were excluded from the study. All PMBTs demonstrated the ability to not yield false positive and false negative readings. No device met NHTSA performance criteria for accuracy (systematic error) in testing EBTs at every alcohol level tested. An interaction between PMBTs and the alcohol test levels was found. Thus, accuracy was found to be dependent upon the alcohol level at which the devices were tested. No device met NHTSA performance criteria for precision in testing EBTs at every alcohol level tested. Precision varied depending on the testing condition. There was less precision under controlled field conditions than under laboratory conditions. Five of the six PMBTs that completed the testing overestimated BrAC; only one device read below actual BrAC. Ramifications of the findings are discussed, regarding the overestimation and underestimation of BrAC and the possibility of manufacturers intentionally calibrating the devices to overestimate BrAC. Potential PMBT users are discussed and areas for future research are addressed.
author2 Dennis, Maurice E.
author_facet Dennis, Maurice E.
Van Tassel, William Edward
author Van Tassel, William Edward
author_sort Van Tassel, William Edward
title An evaluation of pocket-model, numerical readout breath alcohol testing instruments
title_short An evaluation of pocket-model, numerical readout breath alcohol testing instruments
title_full An evaluation of pocket-model, numerical readout breath alcohol testing instruments
title_fullStr An evaluation of pocket-model, numerical readout breath alcohol testing instruments
title_full_unstemmed An evaluation of pocket-model, numerical readout breath alcohol testing instruments
title_sort evaluation of pocket-model, numerical readout breath alcohol testing instruments
publisher Texas A&M University
publishDate 2004
url http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/1159
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