Blutalkohol (Blutalkohol)

Publications in this journal

• Article: Ignition interlocks: Review of the evidence, Atemalkoholgesteuerte Wegfahresperre: Zusammenfassung der wissenschaftlichen Befunde

  P. R. Marques
  Blutalkohol 01/2010; 47:318-327.
• Article: Atemalkoholgesteuerte Wegahrsperren (Interlock)

  P. Marques, B. Bjerre, C. Dussault, R. B. Voas, D. J. Beirness, I. R. Marples, W. R. Rauch
  Blutalkohol 01/2003; 40:177-198.
• Article: [Separation of therapy and diagnosis on the one hand--need for interprofessional cooperation on the other hand. Also a critical comment to the contribution of Pund and Kajan].

  W Müller
  Blutalkohol 08/1996; 33(4):215-20.
• Article: [Alcohol and energy drink--can combined consumption of both beverages modify automobile driving fitness?].

  B Riesselmann, F Rosenbaum, V Schneider
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  ABSTRACT: Various fitness drinks under the designation of "energy or power drinks" or "brain or athletic food" are very popular among young people. For those entrusted with rendering expert opinions that poses the question of whether consumption of these beverages is of any importance when a person's ability to drive or mental capacity has to be assessed, especially in combination with alcoholic beverages imbibed at the same time. In the case discussed here-both the 20-year-old car driver and his passenger suffered not inconsiderable injuries-an alcohol concentration of 1.2 per mille was found at the time a blood sample was taken. Furthermore, a caffeine content of 1.5 micrograms/ml was noted. A value also reached after drinking a cup of filter coffee. In contrast, values of 2 to 10 micrograms/ml are reached when caffeine is used for therapeutic purposes. Values of more than 15 micrograms/ml are considered toxic. The measured caffeine content was thus fully insignificant. The same also applies to the "active ingredients" (taurine, glucuronolactone) contained in the beverage "Red Bull". Another assumption that, namely, the effect of alcohol can be offset by such beverages could lead to a situation in which young people incorrectly assess their ability to drive after imbibing alcohol and fitness drinks. That is naturally given support by corresponding tributes by the manufacturers ("improves performance", "invigorates the mind and body").
  Blutalkohol 08/1996; 33(4):201-8.
• Article: [The accuracy of blood alcohol determination with head-space GC, ADH and REA ethanol assay for the AXSYM system--a comparison of the methods].

  A Alt, G Reinhardt
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  ABSTRACT: The most commonly used methods for the determination of blood alcohol are the Head-Space Gas Chromatography (HSGC) and the ADH-Method. Abbott offers now a REA-ethanol Assay for the AXSYM-System. The accuracy of the 3 analytical procedural were checked by a method comparison. This involved blood alcohol concentration of 347 serum samples being determined by means of all 3 methods. The deviation of the results of double analysis within the respective method, the difference of the values when using 2 measuring methods each (HSGC-ADH, ADH-AXSYM, HSGC-AXSYM) and the standard deviation of the measurements from HSGC-AXSYM and HSGC-ADH were determined. The REA Ethanol Assay, which was developed for diagnostic and therapeutic questions in cases of alcohol intoxication works with an accuracy which suffices entirely for this task designation. However, the fixed regulation for determining blood alcohol in forensic use cannot be observed fully.
  Blutalkohol 08/1996; 33(4):209-14.
• Article: [The German promille law--overview and guideline for legal traffic applications].

  P Grohmann
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  ABSTRACT: 1. The alcohol level regulation affects everyone who participates in public road, rail, shipping and air traffic. In legal terms a person participating in traffic is anyone who has a direct, physical influence on the traffic flow i.e. as a pedestrian, a vehicle driver, an aircraft captain or a train driver. Participation in any kind of traffic requires a physical, mental and psychological joint effort which is controlled by the central nervous system. The influence of alcohol drastically deteriorates driver performance to the detritment of traffic safety. In cases of traffic law determination of dangerous driving or in cases of the legal limitations of diminished or no responsibility, recognised discoveries in traffic medicine as well as blood alcohol research, psychiatry and statistics have played a significant role. The main medical-scientific used to determine the alcohol level regulation, in particular the borderline cases, essentially rely on on experiments (mainly driving experiments). These experiments are carried out with drivers under the influence of alcohol and who drive road vehicles, particularly motor vehicles. At present, no comparable, scientifically convincing research is available for the other groups of participants in traffic. Therefore, the determination of a universal alcohol level regulation including pedestrians and train drivers for example, can not be justified. Blood alcohol effect has been thoroughly researched, the metabolic reaction is well known, alcohol is easily quantifiable, its effect can be easily reviewed and is reproducible to a large extent. Therefore, due to existence of certain alcohol level values, legal conclusions can be drawn which affect all participants in traffic. The main issue is, that the blood alcohol level taken at the time of the accident is definite, regardless whether it was taken by means by a blood sample or by means of a statement of the amount of alcohol consumed. Whether or not the driving under the influence of alcohol falls under the category of "infringement of the law" or "criminal offence" depends largely on the abstract danger caused to the traffic. According to section 316 StGB a motorized or non-motorized driver under the influence of alcohol is considered to be unsafe if he/she is incapable of driving the vehicle safely for a long span of time or when sudden difficulties arise. It would apply if the alcohol has caused a personality change which would not enable the driver to drive safely despite wilfully trying. This applies respectively to drivers of vehicles that don't circulate on roads. 2. Currently, the following alcohol limit regulation applied in Germany: Criminal offences section 316, section 315 c section 1 no. 1 a StGB 1. Drivers of motor vehicles on the road--0.3 to 1.09/1000 and an additional error to due the consumption of alcohol--1.10/1000 (including the body's alcohol resorption effect) and more, with or without errors due to the consumption of alcohol. 2. Cyclists--0.3 to 1.59/1000 and an additional error due to the consumption of alcohol--1.60/1000 (including the body's resorption effect) and more, with oder without error due to the consumption of alcohol. 3. Carriage drivers, motorized wheelchair users--0.3/1000 and more and an additional error due to the consumption of alcohol. Section 316, Section 315 StGB 4. Train drivers, airplane pilots and persons in charge of ships--0.3/1000 and more and an additional error due to the consumption of alcohol. Author's opinion: airplane pilots, from 0.1/1000 even without an error due to the consumption of alcohol. Infringement of the law section 24 StVG--0.80 (including body's alcohol resorption effect) to 1.09/1000 without error due to the comsumption of alcohol. Sections 2, 69 a section 1 no. 1 StVZO pedestrians with or without special means of transport, animal leaders/animal drovers, pillion rider or passenger on a motor-bike--0.3/1000 and more and an additional error due to the consumption of alc
  Blutalkohol 08/1996; 33(4):177-200.
• Article: [Formation of so-called byproducts (propanols, butanols et al.) from ethanol by microorganisms].

  P Stöhlmacher
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  ABSTRACT: Microbiological literature implies and furnishes evidence that aliphatic alcohols and the corresponding carboxylates as well as acetone can be produced from ethanol during microbial metabolic processes. Propionate/propanol-1 followed by butyrate can be obtained by means of step-by-step reductive carboxylation of acetyl-CoA. Both butyrate/butanol-1 and caproate/hexanol-1 are typical fermentation products of Clostridium kluyvery. In cases where butyrate decomposition is disrupted up to 50% of butyrate is isomerised to isobutyrate. In addition to ethanol, butyrate and butanol-1, isopropanol and acetone are characteristic products of commercially used Clostridia. One would expect that saccharolytic organisms producing ethanol in addition to other "solvents" (butanol-1, acetone, isopropanol) can also synthesise the solvents if the substrate is changed (ethanol instead of carbohydrate). Under carbon monoxide, formiate and hydrogen, some CODH-active Clostridia can, very efficiently, convert various carboxylates into the corresponding alcohols. There are several groups of organisms present in human intestinal tract that can utilise ethanol and other alcohols.
  Blutalkohol 06/1996; 33(3):113-41.
• Article: [Lowering the promille limit?].

  B Bialas
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  ABSTRACT: The Legislator's decision not to lower the 0.8 per mile alcohol level limit of the section 240 StVG runs counter to the tendency of fighting dring driving altogether. This decision was made despite the fact, that according to current medical science the risk limit lies at 0.4 per mile. It can't be justified by the "ultima ratio" principle which was introduced by the legislator for decision making. Much on the contrary, it suggests a development where considerations will no longer be applied only for the protection of the citizen. Here we can observe a continuation of the interpretation of the alcohol level limits which seem to simply serve as a means of ensuring a conviction. The economical analysis of the law is the theoretical background to this consideration which dominated by this process. This analysis does not take any further limitations of legislative powers into consideration with the exception of effectiveness, efficiency and its maximum use under the political and economic aspects. Therefore it allows the protection of the individual to be obscured by these maxims. However, lowering of the alcohol level risk limit to 0.4 per mile should not be insisted on, but instead there should be a call for the introduction of an alcohol ban altogether. This request could be justified with the lack of the legal basis of the alcohol level limits.
  Blutalkohol 06/1996; 33(3):142-51.
• Article: [Reliability of back-calculation of blood alcohol concentration to the time of infraction].

  C Schyma, P Schyma
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  ABSTRACT: In order to be able to give an accurate legal judgement of a drink driving offense, the BAC at the time of the offense has to be determined. The calculation which may be necessary is based on the time of blood sampling and on the time of the offense. The authors examined records of 854 blood samples taken in the years 1979 and 1989 with regards to the times recorded. Blood sampling recorded on the hour or on the half hour could be found four times more frequently than would have been statistically expected. Blood sampling recorded to the nearest five or ten minutes were documented three times as often as those ending on the exact minute. Times of the offense were recorded at least ten times as often to the nearest five minutes. The rounding up of times could cause discrepancies of more than 0.01% when calculating the BAC at the time of offense.
  Blutalkohol 04/1996; 33(2):65-70.
• Article: [Alcohol and aggression--violence prone drivers preventing passing maneuvers].

  G E Zabel
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  ABSTRACT: 1. The regulation that currently applies to driving bans is not an "ineffective weapon". The span of sanction of 1 to 3 months is sufficient. Anything in addition to that will be covered by the safety aspects of the section 69, 69 a StGB. 2. In cases of violence in traffic there is no deficit in sanctions with regards to the instruments e. g. section 240, 315 b and 315 c StGB. 3. The assessing of the drivers fitness requires more than the driving ban, the withdrawal of the driving license and the psychological retraining of drivers. It also requires an expert assessment of the officially authorized assessment office.
  Blutalkohol 04/1996; 33(2):84-93.
• Article: [Use of the ADH/REA method (Abbott Tdx-REA) in forensic blood alcohol determination].

  D Mebs, K Schmidt, H Bratzke
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  ABSTRACT: The ethanol determination using the ADH/REA method (Abbott TDx-REA) is based on the principle of radiative energy attenuation (REA) applying the classic ADH-method. However, instead of measuring the extinction of the reaction product NADH, a chromogen formed by a coupled diaphorase reaction is measured. Serum, whole blood and urine are used for ethanol determination without prior treatment. The following analytical procedures such as sampling, addition of reagents and measuring are automated. Sample solutions of 100 to 200 microliters should be used. Daily calibration of the apparatus is recommended. Both precision and reproducibility meet the requirements of BAC-assays in forensic specimens. The results obtained by using gas chromatography and ADH/REA method show an excellent correlation (factor r = 0.9977). The ADH/REA method has proved to be a reliable assay procedure in routine determination of the BAC in forensic samples.
  Blutalkohol 04/1996; 33(2):71-7.
• Article: [Traffic accidents in alcoholic intoxication].

  D Erath, H T Haffner
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  ABSTRACT: A study of group comprising all road accidents caused by drivers of private cars who were under the influence of alcohol (BAC > = 0.3 g/kg; X = 1.56 +/- 0.62 g/kg) that occurred in a defined area over the span of one calendar year (n = 625) was compared with a randomly selected control group of 718 road accidents in which the drivers had not been under the influence of alcohol. The drivers in the study group were marginally younger than the ones in the control group. However, there was no evidence of an alcohol related increase in the risk of an accident associated with younger age. The sex ratio in the study group corresponded to that, generally found amongst people driving under the influence of alcohol. In the study group there was no evidence of a restricted manner and extent of car use, based on the distances between the sites of the accidents and the offenders' homes. However, the proportion of accidents occurring out of towns was greater in the study group. Alcohol associated accidents occurred more frequently in the evenings and at night, which reflects habitual drinking patterns. Therefore these accidents occurred mainly in darkness and twilight. Surprisingly, unfavorable weather conditions such as rain or ice did not lead to an increase in accidents due to alcohol. In fact, in the study group, proportionally fewer accidents occurred on icy roads. Both injury to persons and damage to property were more severe in the study group. While no relationship between accident severity and blood alcohol concentration could be proven within the study group, the risk of death or severe injury was 3 to 4 times greater in this group than in the control group.
  Blutalkohol 03/1996; 33(2):57-64.
• Article: [Changes in the spectrum of alcohol-induced traffic accidents in relation to blood alcohol level].

  H T Haffner, D Erath, M Graw
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  ABSTRACT: A retrospective study was undertaken to determine whether the degree of alcohol intoxication has an effect on the driving performance with regards to both the quantity and quality. A total of 625 accidents caused by drivers who were under the influence of alcohol were reviewed. They were divided into three groups according to the blood alcohol concentration (BAC):0.30 - 1.09 g/kg, 1.10 - 1.99 g/kg and > 2.00 g/kg. In order to exclude the influence of factors unrelated to alcohol, the groups were matched for age, sex, location of accident and the light and road conditions. This resulted in a total of 85 accidents in each group. The accidents were classified with reference to the "Register of causes of accidents" used in road accident statistics. The three groups differed significantly in their causes of accidents (p < 0.025), although those due to speeding dominated in each group. In the group with low BAC, the next most common accidents were the ones caused by failure to give way. In the group with medium BAC, rear-end collisions and accidents occurring during low speed manoeuvres were the second most common. In the group with highest BAC, the next most common causes of accidents were the leaving of the correct traffic lane unassociated with speeding.
  Blutalkohol 03/1996; 33(2):78-83.
• Article: [Concentration dependent ethanol metabolism in steady-state].

  H D Wehner, M C Schieffer, S Krauss, M Hubig
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  ABSTRACT: Ethanol infusion rates necessary to maintain steady-state ethanol concentrations are dependent on the actual ethanol concentration in a monotonous increasing manner.
  Blutalkohol 02/1996; 33(1):17-22.
• Article: [Self-assessment of blood alcohol content in acute alcoholic intoxication].

  S Seidl, M Scheller, G Reinhardt
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  ABSTRACT: During a drinking experiment 20 young male volunteers were asked to estimate the amount of their BAC and commented on their driving ability and their readiness to participate in road traffic. During the resorption phase the majority of the volunteers estimated their BAC too low, whereas in the early elimination phase most of their estimates were to high. The majority of the volunteers felt able to drive throughout the whole experiment which demonstrates an impairment of essential control functions as early as low to medium alcohol intoxication.
  Blutalkohol 02/1996; 33(1):23-30.
• Article: [Change in automobile driving capacity assessment--a contribution to the correlation between diagnosis and therapy].

  B Pund, G Kajan
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  ABSTRACT: The repeated demand for the introduction of an organisational separation of medical-psychological assessment from drink rehabilitation of drink driving offenders and other types of offenders is mainly sustained by the fear of a possible loss of the experts' neutrality, objectivity and independence. In addition to that there is the fear of an economic conflict within an organisation offering both medical-psychological assessment and rehabilitation courses for drink driving offenders. In the event of a clash of interests resulting in the demand of a complete organisational separation, the consequences of such a separation would have to be dealt with. The separation of fields of work which, in substance, are closely related from the scientific point of view and in respect of the underlying conceptual basis would result in: a substantial reduction of experience of assessment experts (who will no longer be able to gather experience with rehabilitation and/or therapy) an equally substantial reduction of experience of therapists (who will no longer be able to be involved in diagnostics). As in other branches where there are opposing views from within the society, this development is avoidable. Instead of neglecting professional standards appropriate safety and control instruments should be installed in order to diminish economic conflicts. Quality management and control according to ISO 9000 would be an appropriate measure to enable the administrative body to exclude any misuse of the experts' role.
  Blutalkohol 02/1996; 33(1):31-43.
• Article: [Driving ban--a blunt weapon? Response to the comment by Bode].

  R G Zabel
  Blutalkohol 02/1996; 33(1):44-6.