Digital breathalyzers, alcotests and saliva drug tests
The digital breathalyzer is a device dedicated to measuring and controlling blood alcohol level. More precise than disposable single-use models, their operation is based on a quantified and precise value of the blood alcohol level in the exhaled air.
Using the same technologies as those used by the police, our range of CE & EN approved digital breathalyzers is intended both for the general public and for professionals. You will also find in this section our saliva drug tests for cocaine, opiates, cannabis, amphetamines and methamphetamines ...
The digital breathalyzer
Usually, we often tend to confuse the breathalyzer, the digital breathalyzer and the ethylometer. These devices are used to measure blood alcohol level with very specific functions:
The chemical breathalyzer or alcootest
The chemical breathalyzer - also called breathalyzer or "balloon" - is like a colorimetric reagent tube to assess the ethanol level in the exhaled air. It is a disposable disposable device. At the start, the tube connected to the balloon is yellow, when the breathalyzer test is positive, we observe a green coloration which goes up to a ring mark, the limit shat should not be crossed ...
Note, however, that these devices are not 100% reliable. It may happen that the color changes when there has been no alcohol consumption, but there simply is presence of ethanol in the user's breath.
Digital breathalyzer
The digital breathalyzer is a measuring device with an alcohol-specific electrochemical sensor, it is a sort of ethanol gas detector. The main advantage of an electronic breathalyzer is that it allows accurate reading of the blood alcohol level.
It is reusable, unlike single-use breathalyzers. It is a very reliable measuring device which - like all measuring devices - will require annual periodic maintenance such as sensor calibration to guarantee accuracy and measurement repeatability.
The breath alcohol ignition interlock device
The breath alcohol ignition interlock device (IID) is a variation of the digital breathalyzer. It is a device already regulated and used in the field of public transportation. It prevents a vehicle from starting when the blood alcohol level does not meet the authorized limits.
Since December 1, 2016, and with a decision of the local authorities, there is an alternative to a license suspension, the installation of a breathalyzer ignition interlock device in case of a positive blood alcohol test for private vehicles.
The ethylometer
The ethylometer is the only legal instrument used by law enforcement to confirm and determine the alcohol level of a driver following a positive test carried out using a breathalyzer or digital breathalyzer.
Ethylometers are expensive and very precise measuring devices using very advanced technologies allowing to obtain a high measurement accuracy. An important annual calibration protocol is necessary to qualify each ethylometer.
Drug screening test unit:
This unit is composed of two components: a saliva drug test swab where the test is performed and a cassette including a liquid that reacts to the different substances (THC, opioids, cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamine).
The measuring time can take from 3 to 5 minutes for sensitive measurements. If a substance is not detected, a line is clearly displayed in front of the related category. This drug-screening unit is approved as a medical device in the European Union in compliance with the 98/79/IEC Directive, and can therefore be used by professionals.