Feasibility of transdermal ethanol sensing for the detection of intoxicated drivers

Gregory D Webster, Hampton C Gabler, Gregory D Webster, Hampton C Gabler

Abstract

Transdermal ethanol detection is a promising method that could prevent drunk driving if integrated into an ignition interlock system. However, experimental data from previous research has shown significant time delays between alcohol ingestion and detection at the skin which makes real time estimation of blood alcohol concentration via skin measurement difficult. Using a validated model we studied the effects that body weight, metabolic rate and ethanol dose had on the time lag between the blood alcohol concentration and transdermal alcohol concentration. The dose of alcohol ingested was found to have the most significant effect on the skin alcohol lag time; a dose of 15 ml of ethanol resulted in a peak lag time of approximately 33 minutes, while a dose of 60 ml of ethanol resulted in a peak time lag of 53 minutes. The time lag was found to be insensitive to body mass and only moderately sensitive to changes in metabolic rates.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Alcohol Related Traffic Fatalities per Year
Figure 2
Figure 2
Model Diagram
Figure 3
Figure 3
Skin Diagram
Figure 4
Figure 4
Metabolism Model Validation using Wilkinson data [1977]
Figure 5
Figure 5
Complete Model Validation against Swift Data [1992]
Figure 6
Figure 6
BAC curves as a Function of Body Weight 30 ml of 95% Ethanol in 150 ml Solution
Figure 7
Figure 7
Time Lag Between peak BAC and peak TAC as a Function of Dose
Figure 8
Figure 8
Metabolic Effects on Lag Time

Source: PubMed

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