What does the Intoxilyzer 8000 primarily measure?

The Intoxilyzer 8000 primarily measures alcohol concentration in breath. This device operates on the principle that when a person consumes alcohol, a portion of it is absorbed into their bloodstream and subsequently exhaled in their breath. The Intoxilyzer 8000 uses infrared spectroscopy to analyze the breath sample, detecting specific wavelengths of light absorbed by alcohol molecules. This analysis allows for a reliable estimation of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) based on the amount of alcohol present in the exhaled breath.

Understanding this measurement is crucial for law enforcement and legal proceedings, as it provides a non-invasive means of determining a driver’s level of intoxication. By calculating the ratio of alcohol in breath to that in blood—a generally accepted ratio of 2100:1—the Intoxilyzer can present results that are indicative of the individual's BAC, which is a legal standard for intoxication.