Defense of the Week ArchivesBody TemperatureThe Breathalyzer is based upon Henry's Law which requires that the temperature the breath be at a constant temperature. In an attempt to achieve this, the machine heats itself to 34°C prior to testing. The temperature of 34°C is used as this is the estimated temperature of the last part of the exhaled breath when it reaches the machine. This represents a drop in temperature during exhalation from an assumed body temperature of 37°C or 98.6°F. The machines assumptions may lead to erroneous results. The "normal" average human body temperature of 98.6 can vary by several degrees over a 24-hour period[1]. Different people have different "normal" temperatures. Because not everyone is average and body temperature varies within a person we cannot be sure that the temperature is constant and the reading is accurate. If the machine warms up to higher that 34°C. or the breath sample from the test subject is higher than the temperature the machine is set up to warm up to, then the reading will be falsely high. |
 
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