Articles Posted in Breath-Blood-Urine-Testing

What Is the Intoxilyzer 8000?

The Intoxilyzer 8000 is a breath testing device manufactured by CMI, Inc. Maine law enforcement uses it to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC) during OUI investigations.This machine analyzes a breath sample using infrared light technology. It estimates how much alcohol is in a person’s system. Maine adopted the Intoxilyzer 8000 to replace the older Intoxilyzer 5000. The state purchased roughly one hundred units for use across Maine.

The switch happened for a telling reason. For years, OUI defense attorneys and breath testing experts argued that the Intoxilyzer 5000 could read other substances on a person’s breath as alcohol. This produced false high BAC readings. These substances are called “interferents.” Common examples include paint fumes, carburetor cleaner, and chemicals found in beauty salon supplies. For just as many years, CMI and Maine’s breath testing staff dismissed those concerns as defense attorney gimmicks. They insisted the 5000 was specific for alcohol. They claimed it would reliably detect and subtract interferents from the final BAC reading.