A 'breath test' used by traffic police to check drunken driving uses?

A.

Tumeric on filter paper

B.

Silica gel coated with saliva nitrate

C.

Potassium permanganate-sulphuric acid

D.

Potassium dichromatic-sulphuric acid

Correct answer is D

The earliest developed breathalyzer was based on reaction of alcohol if present in the exhaled air with a cocktail of chemicals containing sulfuric acid, potassium dichromate, silver nitrate, and water. Silver nitrate catalyzes the reaction between alcohol and potassium dichromate in acidic medium.