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Can Medication Increase The Error Rate Of Breathalyser?

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Posted on Fri, 30 Jan 2015
Question: What medications and or factors that can increase the error rate of a breathalyzer machine?
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Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Most commonly it is due to substances that contain alcohol.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

There are number of factors which can cause error in breathanalyzer machine.

1.Foreign Substances:Substances that contain alcohol can produce false positive results.It may be found in some mouthwashes,breath fresheners and toothache medicines that contain alcohol and these things can alter readings.

2.Calibration:Calibration fault can also cause error,so it must be calibrated periodically and batteries must be replaced in order to maintain accuracy.

3.Environmental Factors:False results can be triggered by the presence of paint fumes,varnish and chemicals such as plastics and adhesives.

3.Error may also be due to human error or soft ware related.

Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Indu Kumar

Radiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 6729 Questions

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Can Medication Increase The Error Rate Of Breathalyser?

Brief Answer: Most commonly it is due to substances that contain alcohol. Detailed Answer: Hello There are number of factors which can cause error in breathanalyzer machine. 1.Foreign Substances:Substances that contain alcohol can produce false positive results.It may be found in some mouthwashes,breath fresheners and toothache medicines that contain alcohol and these things can alter readings. 2.Calibration:Calibration fault can also cause error,so it must be calibrated periodically and batteries must be replaced in order to maintain accuracy. 3.Environmental Factors:False results can be triggered by the presence of paint fumes,varnish and chemicals such as plastics and adhesives. 3.Error may also be due to human error or soft ware related. Hope I have answered your question. Further queries are most welcome. Take Care Dr.Indu XXXXXXX