A clinical investigation into the ability of subjects with a lung disease to provide breath specimens using the Dräger 6510

Abstract

In the enforcement of drink driving laws failing to provide a breath specimen for alcohol analysis at the roadside when requested by a Police Officer is an offence in many countries. Some drivers claim that a lung disease prevented their ability to be successful. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the presence of a lung disease and the ability to provide a successful breath specimen using the Dräger 6510 screening device. Sixty participants with lung disease and nineteen control participants underwent pulmonary function tests and were then tested with a Dräger 6510 screening device. Only one participant was unsuccessful using the Dräger 6510, this participant suffered from interstitial lung disease. The pulmonary function test results did not indicate if someone would be successful or how many attempts would be needed to be successful. The presence of a lung disease did not indicate if a driver would be unsuccessful however all participants were free from infection and the participants with a lung disease were stable at the time of testing. Correct instruction, subject cooperation and the technique used by the driver to provide a breath specimen were found to be important factors in the success of a breath test.

Keywords: Alcohol; Breath; Lung disease; Screening device.