The invention relates to method and apparatus for the determination of
alcohol concentration of
expired air. By visualising current or accumulated measuring value and error in real time during ongoing measurement,
interactive control of
alcohol determination is enabled with respect to accuracy and time lapse. Preferably the measurement is performed without contact with compensation for the
dilution of the breath sample, which is performed by simultaneous measurement of temperature, concentration of water vapour or
carbon dioxide. The method is divided into a stepwise procedure based on the dependence of the measuring error on the
dilution of the
expired air, and accumulated time, both being possible to influence by the test person or operator. Special advantages are being obtained at measurements relative to a concentration limit. The
alcohol determination is preferably performed by means of
absorption spectroscopy within the
infrared wavelength range. The apparatus according to the invention includes sensors for the abovementioned entities, an
electronic unit for
signal and
data processing, a presentation unit, and is embedded in a compact housing for handheld use or integration. The
response time of the sensors should not exceed 0,5 seconds in order to fulfil the requirement of real time operation. The housing is controllably openable at measurement, and includes a measuring
cell illuminated with collimated
infrared radiation and means for active air flow.