Alcohol Blood Tests vs. Breathalyzers
_______________________________________________________________________
When considering the implementation of
various testing methodologies for testing a person's blood alcohol content (BAC), a number of Human Resource directors in various
organization and companies need information about alcohol blood tests vs breathalyzers.
A blood alcohol test (also known as an alcohol blood test and a blood test for alcohol) directly measures BAC and is the most
accurate method for testing a person's blood alcohol content. A breath alcohol test, such as a breathalyzer test, conversely, estimates
blood alcohol concentration or content indirectly by measuring the amount of alcohol in a person's breath.
Breathalyzers Estimate A Person's Blood Alcohol Content
A breathalyzer is a device that is used for estimating a person's blood
alcohol content (BAC) from a breath sample.
In the United States, the Alcosensor, Datamaster, Alcotest Intoxilyzer, and the Intoximeter are the most common breathalyzer
brand names currently in use.
Breathalyzers can detect and
measure current alcohol levels. The person blows into a breathalyzer and the results are given as a number, known as the
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) which shows the level of alcohol in the blood at the time the test was taken.
Since 2002, it has been illegal in all 50 U.S. states to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is .08% or
higher.
Breathalyzers do not directly measure blood alcohol concentration or content. Measuring blood alcohol content (BAC) requires the
analysis of a blood sample.
Breathalyzers, rather, estimate blood alcohol concentration or content indirectly by measuring the amount of alcohol in one's breath.
Some Key Issues With Breathalyzers
A major issue with some breathalyzers is that they not only detect the ethyl alcohol found
in alcohol beverages, but also in other substances that have a similar molecular structure.
Stated differently, the "problem" breathalyzers
identify any compound containing the methyl group molecular structure. And the issue with this is that more than one hundred compounds
can be found in a human's breath at any one time and 70% to 80% of these compounds contain the methyl group molecular structure.
The consequence of this is that these methyl group molecular structures will be incorrectly identified and labeled as ethyl alcohol.
Interestingly, the more ethyl group substances the breathalyzer detects, the higher the false blood alcohol content estimate will be.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that people who are diabetics or dieters can have acetone levels
that are hundreds, if not a thousand of times higher than people who are not diabetics or dieters. The key issue here is that
acetone is one of the many substances that can be falsely detected as ethyl alcohol by some breathalyzers.
There's also a variety of products found in the environment that can lead to erroneous BAC results with breathalyzers. Some these products
include substances or compounds found in cleaning fluids, celluloid, gasoline, paint removers, and in lacquers. Other common
substances that can result in false BAC levels are alcohol, vomit, or blood in the person's mouth. False BAC readings can also be caused
from electrical interference, dirt, smoke, cell phones, police radios, moisture, and tobacco smoke.

Breathalyzers can be very sensitive to temperature and will result in false readings if they are not adjusted or recalibrated to compensate
for ambient or surrounding air temperatures. Moreover, the temperature of the person being tested is also significant. More
specifically, each degree (in Fahrenheit) in the subject's body temperature above 98.6 can result in a relatively large elevation (about 8%) in
apparent BAC.
| Research has demonstrated that American children who are raised in single-family households are almost twice as
likely to experience an alcohol-related problem such as alcohol abuse as compared with children who are raised by both parents in
the same household. |
A person's breathing rate can also significantly affect breathalyzer results. For instance, one study discovered that the BAC readings
of people who ran up a flight of stairs decreased 11% to 14%. And when these people ran up the stairs a second time, their BAC readings
decreased 22% to 25%. Another study found similar results (a decrease in BAC of 15%) in people who exercised vigorously or who
hyperventilated.
Moreover, hyperventilation for just 20 seconds has been shown to lower the breathalyzer BAC readings by about 10%. Conversely, people who hold
their breath for 30 seconds can increase the breathalyzer BAC results by approximately 15%.
Studies have shown that inpatient detoxification programs are more effective and longer lasting than outpatient
detox programs. The important issue here, however, is the following: the more severe the alcohol-related withdrawal symptoms, the
more likely that inpatient detox programs
should be used. |
The failure of law enforcement officers to use the breathalyzers properly and to properly maintain and re-calibrate the units when
necessary also lead to testing errors.
Research indicates that breath tests can vary at least 15% from actual blood alcohol concentration. An estimated 23% of individuals tested
will have a BAC reading higher than their true BAC.
Can Breathalyzers be Fooled by Odors?
A common myth is that breathalyzers can be "fooled" by odors that mask the smell of alcohol. Mints, onions, and mouthwash may indeed
disguise the smell of alcohol, but they do not fool the breathalyzer because they do not change the actual alcohol content on a person's
breath. What can "fool" breathalyzers, however, are products such as breath spray or mouthwash that can raise the BAC readings due to
the alcohol content in these products.

Listerine, for example, contains 27% alcohol, and can significantly raise the BAC test results. Why? Due to the
increased alcohol (from the Listerine) detected on the person's breath, the breathalyzer produces a false high reading. Stated differently,
instead of the reading being based on alcohol in the blood that has been diffused into the lungs, the breathalyzer will result in a false reading
due to the combined alcohol in the person's mouth (from the Listerine) and from the person's lungs.
| The great majority of alcoholics go unrecognized by physicians and health care professionals. This is largely
because of the alcoholic’s ability to conceal the amount and frequency of drinking, denial of problems caused by or made worse by
drinking, the gradual onset of the disease, and the body's ability to adapt to increasing alcohol amounts. |
Blood Tests
A blood test for alcohol (also called a blood alcohol test and an alcohol blood test) is the most accurate method for testing a
person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Blood alcohol tests, moreover, are the most expensive and the most intrusive methods for
testing BAC. Due mainly to their high cost and to their intrusiveness, however, alcohol blood tests comprise the least common method for
testing a person's BAC.
More than 2 million Americans suffer from alcohol-related liver disease. Some drinkers, moreover, develop
alcoholic hepatitis (that is, an inflammation of the liver) as a result of long-term
heavy drinking. |
Alcohol Blood Tests vs. Breathalyzers: Conclusion
An alcohol blood test (also called a blood alcohol test or a blood test for alcohol) directly measures a person's blood alcohol
content and is the most accurate method for testing a person's blood alcohol level. A breath alcohol test, such as a breathalyzer test, on
the other hand, estimates the blood alcohol concentration or content indirectly by measuring the amount of alcohol in an individual's breath.
According to current demographic statistics, alcohol abuse accounts for approximately two-thirds of the total number of substance abuse
complaints in US workplaces. In addition, the use or abuse of alcohol is associated with nearly half of all industrial accidents.
As a consequence, there is a growing demand for more reliable alcohol detection and testing methods. Indeed, an increasing number of companies
are employing alcoholism screening tests and random alcohol testing as part of their employee drug and alcohol testing programs. In a
word, more and more Human Resources directors in different organizations and companies are seeking more detailed information about
alcohol blood tests vs breathalyzers so that they can purchase and implement cost-effective and reliable methods of employee
alcohol testing.
|
The following toll-free phone number is a number to a call center/treatment center that we are proudly affiliated with. This
treatment facility provides top-quality and professional "holistic" drug and alcohol rehab and counseling that addresses
virtually every aspect of the person's life.
There is someone at this phone number 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Please call this number if you have questions about a
drug or alcohol problem or if you want some information about top-of-the-line drug or alcohol treatment. (888) 565-2282
|
In 2005, 2.1 million American college students between the ages of 18 and 24 reported driving under the
influence
of alcohol. |
Please Add Our Website To Your Favorite Bookmarks!
| The following represents some of the negative consequences of drinking alcohol and the fertility and health issues
of the mother and/or the baby: altered estrogen and progesterone levels; numerous ovulatory dysfunctions; increased risk for a
pre-term birth, stillbirth, or a miscarriage; hypothalmic-pituitary-ovarian dysfunction resulting in the lack of ovulation, the
abnormal development of the endometrial lining; the absence of menses; increased risk of fetal alcohol syndrome and possible
congenital heart defects and brain anomalies; possible mental retardation in the baby; increased menstrual problems and
gynecologic surgery; impaired fetal growth and development; increased risk for spontaneous abortion; and infertility. |
____________________________________________________
|