| TOKYO--Tokai
Denshi Inc., which produces commercial-use breathalyzers, has developed
a new model that helps prevent false-positive readings on test subjects
who are not drunk.
In what the company claims is an
industry first, the new device features both semiconductor-type and a fuel-cell-type
alcohol detectors.
Most breathalyzers use just a semiconductor-type
alcohol detector, which is durable but can give false-positive readings
due to reactions with cigarettes or ketones in the body.
Fuel-cell-type alcohol detectors
are not as durable and take longer to give a reading, so they have not
been adopted in commercial-use breathalyzers.
However, these detectors react only
to ethanol, so they are more accurate.
Tokai Denshi's new breathalyzer combines
both types of detectors in a durable product that can be used about 60,000
times, which for the typical company translates to around six months of
use.
The device also has a feature to
store pictures of persons along with their blood-alcohol readings when
measurements are taken.
The firm will begin marketing the
device in March for 260,400 yen (US$2,191.55) to the transportation industry,
aiming for sales of 150-200 units a month.
(Nikkei)
(C) 2006 Asia Pulse Pte Ltd

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