Alcohol elimination rate after inhalation of oxitol(2-ethoxyethanol).

A 39-year-old man, accused of driving a car under the influence of ethanol, claimed that the use of an oxitol-containing floor lacquer prior to the drive might have enhanced the concentration of ethanol. Since oxitol has a higher affinity to alcohol dehydrogenase than ethanol, interaction could not be excluded primarily. With the client's informed consent 104 g of ethanol was given orally in a chamber at exposure to 0 ppm and 316 ppm oxitol, respectively. No difference in the elimination rate of ethanol was found. After combined exposure to oxitol and ethanol a decrease of the neutrophilocytes and the thrombocytes was found, as well as an increase of the serum creatine kinase. After exposure solely to ethanol, there were no abnormal blood sample changes.