Evaluation of ethanol concentration in saliva and breath after use of oral hygiene products

• Grant number: 10/07508-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2010
• End date: May 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Bruno Spinosa de Martinis
• Grantee: Bruno Spinosa de Martinis
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alice Aparecida da Matta Chasin ; Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva

Abstract

Ingestion of alcoholic beverages and driving is related to a high prevalence of morbidity and mortality, because there are important behavioral changes in persons under the effect of ethanol, which compromise the functions needed for correctly conducting a motor vehicle. Despite the existing laws, alcohol intake by drivers is not uncommon and, to enforce the law, authorities frequently perform testing of blood ethanol concentration based on the measurement of its concentration in alveolar air through the use of Breathalyzer, an equipment with technology already well established, which provides fast and reliable results. However, alcohol may be present in mouthwashes and the possibility of ethanol detection by breathalyzer due to the use of these products, is a situation that should be carefully considered because it may indicate a false positive result for intake of alcoholic beverages, or it may be used as a subterfuge by irresponsible drivers. In this study it will be evaluate the ethanol concentration in exhaled air by the breath analyzer test, and the alcohol concentration in oral fluid samples using the technique of gas chromatography, after the use of different mouthwashes, at different times. The following groups will be tested: Control Group A (rinse with water), Control Group B (rinse with mouthwashes without alcohol) and Experimental Group (rinse with mouthwashes containing alcohol). In addition, the alcohol concentration in the mouthwashes will be determined, given the lack of information on most labels and / or directions. It is intended, therefore, to verify whether the methods currently used for routine police practices and laws are adequate to avoid mistakes in criminal investigations. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PICOLO BUENO, LAIS HELENA; ALVES DA SILVA, RICARDO HENRIQUE; AZENHA, ALINE VIEIRA; DE SOUZA DIAS, MARIANE CRISTINE; DE MARTINIS, BRUNO SPINOSA. Oral fluid as an alternative matrix to determine ethanol for forensic purposes. Forensic Science International, v. 242, p. 117-122, SEP 2014. (10/07508-1)