Breathalyzers detect blood alcohol content by measuring the ratio of breath alcohol to blood alcohol, using sensors that create electrons and protons or measure infrared light absorption. They can be used by law enforcement, party guests, and businesses with random drug testing policies. Approved models cost around $100 and can be found online or in department stores.
A breath analyzer, or breathalyzer, is a battery-operated device that can reveal a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) by sampling their breath. The professional models, not much larger than a deck of playing cards, provide fast and accurate results displayed digitally in an LED window.
Law enforcement agencies have used breathalyzers for many years, but a breath analyzer can be useful for people as well. Party guests can make use of a breathalyzer to make sure they can legally and safely get behind the wheel to drive home. If the reading is still too high, a simple waiting period can help you avoid a costly DUI (drunk driving violation) or worse. Institutions and businesses with random drug testing policies may use a breath analyzer, particularly among employees who are in the care of others, who work with potentially dangerous machinery or operate vehicles.
A breath analyzer can detect BAC because alcohol doesn’t change the chemical composition within the body. Instead, it is absorbed from the stomach and intestines to enter the bloodstream. Inside, the bloodstream travels throughout the body, including the lung sacs called alveoli, where alcohol molecules are mixed with exhaled air.
The ratio of breath alcohol to blood alcohol is 2.100:1. So, by measuring the breath alcohol concentration, the analyzer can easily calculate the blood alcohol content. The legal limit in most states is 0.08% BAC.
A breath analyzer can be designed to identify alcohol by different means. Many commercial models use “smart dust” or oxidizing sensors which, when exposed to alcohol molecules, create electrons and protons that travel along a wire. A microchip measures the electric current in the wire to calculate the alcohol concentration. Other models are designed to measure the level of infrared light absorption on different molecules, and still others are based on other chemical principles. A good indication of quality is to look for those approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
An approved breath analyzer generally costs around US$100 and can be found online or in more upscale department stores. A breath analyzer can be a life-saving gift, not just for drinkers, but for those on the go. Note that very small pocket patterns are generally considered novelty gifts and may not be accurate.
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