What is the purpose of the air blank test on the Intoxilyzer 9000?

The air blank test on the Intoxilyzer 9000 serves to ensure that the device is functioning correctly. This is vital for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of alcohol testing results. During the air blank test, the instrument measures the amount of alcohol in a sample of ambient air, which should typically show a reading of zero. If the device indicates any alcohol presence during this test, it suggests a potential malfunction or contamination within the system. This test acts as a quality control check, confirming that the device is not picking up any residual alcohol from previous tests or from its surroundings, which could lead to false readings in subsequent tests. Therefore, the air blank is an essential step in verifying the operational integrity of the Intoxilyzer 9000 before proceeding with actual breath tests.