1. Historical Overview of Breath Alcohol Testing in Canada (1950-2010)
J.G. Wigmore
Forensic Alcohol Toxicologist
CSFS Alcohol Workshop
November 2010

2. F.E. Anstie (1833-1874) BrAC determined by acid dichromate method
First described mouth alcohol effect

3. E. Bogen (1927)
First described breath alcohol analysis for medicolegal purposes
Analysed UAC and BrAC (inflating a football) in intoxicated patients including drivers using hot potassium dichromate solution and visually observed colour change
Reported a BBR of 2000:1

4. Six Generations of Breath Alcohol Instruments
First generation ( ), wet chemical - Drunkometer
Second generation ( ), wet chemical Borkenstein Breathalyzer (1969)
Third generation (1970-),
GC- Intoximeter Mk IV (1978)
IR- Intoxilyzer 4011
N-type semiconductor (ALERT J3A Screener)
Fuel cell –Alcosensor IV/RBT IV (1995)

5. Six Generations of Breath Alcohol Instruments
Fourth generation (1975- ) multi wavelength IR - Intoxilyzer 5000C (1992), BAC DataMaster C (1994)
Fifth generation (1985- ) multi wavelength IR- Intoxilyzer 8000C (2007)
Sixth generation ( ), IR and fuel cell Intox EC/IR II (2009)
Next generation?, FTIR, MS

6. First Generation (wet chemical)
Drunkometer invented by R.N. Harger (1933)
First used in Toronto study in 1950, then by Vancouver police from

7. Second Generation (Breathalyzer)
Invented by Robert Borkenstein in 1954 to improve on reliability and ease of operation of Drunkometer.

8. R.F. Borkenstein (1912-2002) First used by Whitby OPP in June 1956
Most widely used breath alcohol instrument between over 30,000 were sold, used in Ontario until 2010

9. Third Generation (GC)
Gas chromatography- Porapak Q column with compressed nitrogen and hydrogen gases and open flame- Intoximeter Mk IV (1978), used only in a few locations in Quebec

10. Third Generation (Single Wavelength IR)
Intoxilyzer single wavelength IR at 3.4 microns, possible interference with acetone- never approved in Canada

11. Third Generation (Taguchi cell)
N-type semiconductor, only used for screening purposes in Canada, due to lack of specificity and stability

12. Third Generation (Taguchi Cell)
Unauthorized modifications by manufacturer and would not submit modified ALERT J3A to ATC for evaluation, removed as ASD in 1993

13. Third Generation (Fuel Cell)
Electrochemical detector, two platinum electrodes seperated by acid electrolyte. Alcohol on breath is oxidized to produce electrons

14. Fourth Generation (multi wavelength IR)
Intoxilyzer 5000C (1992), replaced Breathalyzer in Ontario and Quebec (3.39, 3.48 and 3.80 microns IR)

15. Fourth Generation (IR)
BAC DataMaster C (1994), replaced the Breathalyzer for RCMP. (3.37, 3.48 micron IR)

16. Fifth Generation (3.4 and 9.4 Micron IR)
Intoxilyzer 8000C (2007) replaces 5000C in Ontario, no moving parts (filter wheel), better printer, lighter, more portable

17. Sixth Generation (Fuel cell/IR)
Intox EC/IR II (2009) electrochemical sensor, IR at 3.46 and 4.26 microns

18. Six Generations of Breath Alcohol Testing in Canada (1950-2010)
Evolution of breath alcohol testing from slow, manual wet chemical instruments using toxic chemicals to automatic computerized, rapid instruments with numerous internal/electronic checks and printed test record cards
Evaluation of Approved Instruments by ATC since 1967

19. References
Anstie, F.E., Prognosis and Treatment of Acute Diseases With Special Reference to the Indications Afforded by the Graphic Study of the Pulse, Lancet, , September 28, 1876
Bay, H.W., Burton, K.F., Lieb, H., and Oswin, H.G. Electrochemical Measurements of Blood Alochol Levels, Nature 240: 52-53, 1970
Borkenstein, R.F., and Smith, H.W. The Breathalyzer and Its Applications, Medicine Science and Law, 1: 13-23, 1961
Bogen, E. Drunkenness: A Quantitative Study of Acute Alcohol Intoxication, JAMA 89(19): , 1927
Harger, R.N. Papers at the Indianapolis Meeting of the American Chemical Institute, Science News, Science (suppl), 73:10, 1931
Harte, R.A. An Instrument for the Determination of Ethanol in Breath in Law Enforcement Practice, J. Forensic Sci. 16: , 1971
Lucas, D.M., Professor Robert Borkenstein – An Appreciation of His Life and Work, Forensic Science Review, 12:1-21, 2000
Lucas, D.M. and Charlebois, R.C., Blood, Breath and Urine- Alcohol Analysis in Canada, CSFS Journal, 11: 75-82, 1978
Lucas, G.H.W., Kalow, W., McColl, J.D., Griffith, B.A., and Smith, H.W., Quantitative Studies of the Relation Between Alcohol Levels and Motor Vehicle Accidents, Chemistry in Canada, 36-37, November 1953

20. References
Penton, J.R. and Forrester, M.R. A Gas Chromatographic Breath Analysis System With Provisions for Storage and Delayed Analysis of Breath in Proceedings for the 5th ICADTS, Freiburg Germany, II: 79-87, 1970
Watson, J., and Tanner, D. Applications of the Taguchi Gas Sensor to Alarms for Inflammable Gases, Radio and Electronic Engineer, 44: 85-91, 1974
Wilkie, M.P. Wigmore, J.G., and Patrick, J.W. The Performance of the Approved Screening Device, the Alcotest 7410 GLC in the Field: Low Incidence of false Positive Results in the Identification of Drinking Drivers, CSFS Journal, 36: , 2003
Wigmore, J.G., and Langille, R.M. Six Generations of Breath Alcohol Testing Instruments: Changes in the Detection of Breath Alcohol Since An Historical Review, CSFS Journal 42: , 2009