DOT/NHTSA CPL Document

[Federal Register: May 4, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 87)]
[Notices]              
[Page 22639-22640]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov][DOCID:fr04my01-164]

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2001-9324]

Highway Safety Programs; Conforming Products List of Screening Devices To Measure Alcohol in Bodily Fluids
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: This notice amends the Conforming Products List (CPL) of devices that conform to the Model Specifications for Screening Devices that Measure Alcohol in Bodily Fluids (59 FR 39382).
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 4, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. James F. Frank, Office of Research and Traffic Records, Research and Evaluation Division (NTS-31), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; Telephone: (202) 366-5593.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 2, 1994, Model Specifications for Screening Devices to Measure Alcohol in Bodily Fluids were published in the Federal Register (59 FR 39382). In these model specifications, NHTSA recognized industry efforts to develop new technologies. These specifications established performance criteria and methods for testing alcohol screening devices using either breath or other bodily fluids to measure alcohol content. NHTSA established these specifications to support State laws that target youthful offenders (i.e.,"zero tolerance" laws) and the Department of Transportation's workplace alcohol testing program. NHTSA published its first CPL for screening devices on December 2, 1994 (59 FR 61923; with a correction in 59 FR 65128). Five devices were on that first list.

On August 15, 1995, NHTSA amended its CPL of screening devices to measure alcohol in bodily fluids in the Federal Register (60 FR 42214) by adding two additional devices to the list, thereby bringing the approved list to seven devices. Since the publication of that list, five additional devices have been evaluated at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, MA and found to conform to the model specifications. Accordingly, these five devices, listed in alphabetical order, are being added to the CPL.

The first new listing is the alcohol disposable breath alcohol tubes manufactured by Akers Laboratories, Inc., of Thorofare, NJ. These are disposable tubes that use a potassium dichromate color change to indicate whether the BAC of a breath sample is above the 0.02 threshold. These devices passed all requirements of the model specifications except when read under sodium vapor lighting conditions. Hence, they are approved for use except under sodium vapor lighting conditions, and the manufacturer's package insert specifies this limitation.

The second new listing is the Alco Check 9000 manufactured by Alco Check International of Hudsonville, MI. This device differs from the Alco Check 3000 D.O.T. and the Alco Screen 3000 (the same device sold under two different names) in that it allows for the storage and retrieval of test data by use of an added memory chip. As the Alco Check 3000 D.O.T. and the Alco Screen 3000 already conform to these model specifications, and the added memory chip does not change the alcohol measuring capability of the device, NHTSA did not require the new Alco Check 9000 to be retested before listing it on this CPL for screening devices.

The third new device on the CPL is the ABI model CA2000 (a.k.a Alcohawk) Alcohol Breath Indicator manufactured by HAN International Co. Ltd. of Seoul, Korea. This is an electronic device with a two-digit numerical display that uses a semi-conductor sensor.

The last two devices are the "PAS IIIa" and the "PAS Vr" manufactured by PAS Systems International, Inc. of Fredericksburg, VA. These are both electronic devices that use a fuel cell sensor with a two-digit numerical display. The PAS IIIa and PAS Vr are modifications of two different passive alcohol sensors made by the same company, but with a disposable mouthpiece added so that an appropriate deep-lung air sample can be obtained for breath measurements.

Two housekeeping items are also addressed in this notice. First, the company previously listed as STC Diagnostics, Inc. has changed its name to OraSure Technologies, Inc. and the new CPL reflects the inclusion of the new company name in addition to the old one. The name of its product, the Q.E.D. A150 Saliva Alcohol Test, remains the same. Second, there are a number of handheld breath test devices on the NHTSA CPL for Evidential Breath Testers that frequently are used as screening devices. It should be noted that any device on the most recent NHTSA CPL for EBTs which was published on July 21, 2000 (65 FR 45419) that was tested against the 1993 Model Specifications for Evidential Breath Testers (58 FR 48705) also fully meets the requirements of the Model Specifications for Screening Devices that Measure Alcohol in Bodily Fluids. Both procedures evaluate the performance of instruments at the 0.020 BAC level. The Conforming Products List is therefore amended as follows:

Conforming Products List of Alcohol Screening Devices

1. The devices listed by these manufacturers are the same devices sold under different names.

2. It should be noted that the Alcohol  disposable breath alcohol screening tube device (AKA BreathScan) manufactured by Akers Laboratories, Inc. passed the model specifications under all lighting conditions except one, namely sodium vapor lighting. The device is being listed on this CPL with the understanding that the manufacturer will specify in written instructions accompanying the product that the device should not be used under sodium vapor lighting conditions. It passed the testing under all other conditions.

3. While the ALCO-SCREEN 02TM saliva-alcohol screening device manufactured by Chematics, Inc. passed the requirements of the model specifications when tested at 40 ºC (104 ºF), the manufacturer has indicated that the device cannot exceed storage temperatures of 27 ºC (80 ºF). Instructions to this effect are stated on all packaging accompanying the device. Accordingly, the device should not be stored at temperatures above 27 ºC (80 ºF) and, if the device is stored at or below 27 ºC (80 ºF) and used at higher temperatures (i.e., within a minute), the devices met the model specifications and the results persisted for 10-15 minutes. When these devices were stored at or below 27 ºC (80 ºF) and were equilibrated at 40 ºC (104 ºF) for an hour prior to sample application, the devices failed to meet the model specifications. Storage at temperatures above 27 ºC (80 ºF), for even brief periods of time, may result in false negative readings.

4. While this device passed all of the requirements of the model specifications, readings should be taken only after the time specified by the manufacturer. For valid readings, the user should follow the manufacturer's instructions. Readings should be taken one (1) minute after a sample is introduced at or above 30 ºC (86 ºF); readings should be taken after two (2) minutes at 18 ºC-29 ºC (64.4 -84.2 ºF); and readings should be taken after five (5) minutes when testing at temperatures at or below 17 ºC (62.6 ºF). If the reading is taken before five (5) minutes has elapsed under the cold conditions, the user is likely to obtain a reading that underestimates the actual saliva-alcohol level.

Note that the device made by Akers Laboratories, Inc. is a single-use, disposable breath test device. The devices manufactured by Chematics, Inc., OraSure Technologies, Inc., Roche Diagnostic Systems,Inc., and STC Technologies, Inc. are all single-use, disposable saliva alcohol test devices. The other devices listed are electronic breath testers. Those manufactured by PAS Systems International, Inc. use a fuel-cell sensor, whereas those manufactured by Alco Check International, Guth Laboratories, Han International Co., Ltd., Repco marketing, Inc., and Sound Off, Inc. use semi-conductor sensors.

Issued on: May 1, 2001.

Rose A. McMurray,
Associate Administrator for Traffic Safety Programs.

[FR Doc. 01-11318 Filed 5-3-01; 8:45 am]
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