Alcohol Testing

Alcohol testing is used to measure the concentration of alcohol in a person's blood, commonly referred to as 'blood-alcohol content'(BAC). Blood alcohol content is expressed as a percentage of volume of alcohol per volume of blood in the body. Alcohol testing can be measured in various ways such as breath alcohol testing, blood alcohol testing, or number of drinks per hour. Alcohol testing by means of a digital breath test otherwise known as a 'breathalyzer' is the most popular, cost effective, and suffiently accurate.

Alcohol Testing - Alcohol Breath Testing - Breathalyzer

Alcohol testing by means of an alcohol breath test (Breathalyzer) estimates blood alcohol content (BAC) from a breath sample.

As the blood goes through the lungs, some of the alcohol moves across the membranes of the lung's air sacs (alveoli) into the air, because alcohol will evaporate from a solution -- that is, it is volatile. The concentration of the alcohol in the alveolar air is related to the concentration of the alcohol in the blood. Because the alcohol concentration in the breath is related to that in the blood, you can figure the BAC by measuring alcohol on the breath. The ratio of breath alcohol to blood alcohol is 2,100:1. This means that 2,100 milliliters (ml) of alveolar air will contain the same amount of alcohol as 1 ml of blood.

For many years, the legal standard for drunkenness across the United States was 0.10, but many states have now adopted the 0.08 standard. The federal government has pushed states to lower the legal limit. The American Medical Association says that a person can become impaired when the blood alcohol level hits 0.05. If a person's BAC measures 0.08, it means that there are 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.

Alcohol Testing - Blood Alcohol Testing - Blood Test

Alcohol testing by means of a blood alcohol test measures blood alcohol content (BAC) by drawing a blood sample and testing the alcohol content with the blood. Blood alcohol testing is generally preformed by health professionals.

A blood alcohol test measures the amount of alcohol (ethanol) in your body. Alcohol is quickly absorbed into the blood and can be measured within minutes of having an alcoholic drink. The amount of alcohol in the blood reaches its highest level about an hour after drinking. But food in the stomach may increase the amount of time it takes for the blood alcohol to reach its highest level. About 90% of alcohol is broken down in the liver . The rest of it is passed out of the body in urine and your exhaled breath.

Alcohol Testing - Number of drinks per hour

It is possible to estimate blood alcohol content (BAC) by using a blood alcohol chart which estimates BAC based on number of drinks per hour and body weight. It is important to note that this method of alcohol testing is only a rough estimate and can be fairly inaccurate because every individual reacts differently to alcohol. The chart doesn't take into account your individual body composition, your use of medication, your mood changes, or your personal metabolism rate. Therefore, your blood alcohol level may in fact be slightly higher or slightly lower than the chart indicates for the number of drinks you consume.

Alcohol Testing - Blood Alcohol Chart

If You're a WOMAN, your Blood Alcohol Level is:

If You're a MAN, your Blood Alcohol Level is: