Arielle Cruz
Breathalysers are devices that calculate the concentration of alcohol in an individual's breath to determine whether they are fit to perform certain tasks, such as driving. They are often used by law enforcement to identify impaired drivers and reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents caused by alcohol. While breathalysers are a quick and portable method of testing intoxication levels, various factors can affect the accuracy of the results, leading to false positives. This paragraph will explore some reasons why a breathalyser device may register alcohol even when an individual has not consumed any alcoholic beverages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mouth alcohol | Alcohol in the mouth, throat or stomach can cause a high breath-alcohol reading. |
| Mouthwash | Mouthwash and breath fresheners can contain high levels of alcohol and skew results. |
| Food | Food particles in the mouth can affect the reading. |
| Alcohol content | Larger amounts of alcohol take longer to metabolise, extending the detection period. |
| Type of alcohol | Hard liquors may be detectable longer than beer due to higher alcohol content. |
| Body composition | People with more body fat have a slower metabolism, meaning alcohol can linger longer. |
| Food intake | Eating before or while drinking can slow down alcohol absorption. |
| Volume of breath | The volume of air exhaled during the test can affect the accuracy. |
| Temperature | Temperature can affect the accuracy of the reading. |
| Health | A person's health can affect the accuracy of the reading. |
| Human error | Human error may affect the accuracy of the reading. |
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What You'll Learn
Mouthwash and breath fresheners
Many mouthwashes and breath fresheners contain alcohol, which acts as an antiseptic to kill bacteria. Some brands of mouthwash contain over 25% alcohol by volume, which is as much as some weaker liquors. Examples include Listerine, which contains 26.9% alcohol, and Scope, which contains 18.9% alcohol.
When you use a mouthwash or breath freshener, trace amounts of alcohol can remain in your mouth, on your teeth, or under your tongue even after you spit it out. This is known as "mouth alcohol". Breathalyser devices are designed to detect alcohol in alveolar air, which is the air that comes from the part of the lungs where gases enter and exit the bloodstream. However, breathalysers assume that the alcohol in the breath sample comes from the lungs, when in reality, it could have come from the mouth, throat, or stomach. This means that even a tiny amount of alcohol from the mouth can significantly impact the breath alcohol reading.
Research has shown that using mouthwash or breath freshener can indeed trigger a breathalyser to give a positive result, even if the user is perfectly sober. In one study, breath alcohol values were measured at 2, 4, 6, 10, and 15 minutes after rinsing the mouth with mouthwash. The results showed that breath alcohol values decayed exponentially over time, with the highest readings occurring within the first two minutes after mouthwash use. After 10 minutes, the readings were well below the usual driving-while-intoxicated range. Another study found that using Binaca breath spray resulted in breath alcohol readings as high as 0.81, which is far beyond the legal limit.
Therefore, it is recommended that individuals refrain from using mouthwash or breath freshener containing alcohol immediately before undergoing a breathalyser test. Waiting at least 10-15 minutes after use or rinsing the mouth with water before blowing into the device can help prevent a false positive result.
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Medical conditions
Breathalysers are diagnostic devices that measure how much alcohol is in the air a person breathes out. They can be used to estimate blood alcohol content (BAC) or how much alcohol is in the blood. The higher the BAC, the more intoxicated a person is. While breathalysers are often used by law enforcement, they are also sold to the general public.
There are several medical reasons why a breathalyser may register alcohol:
Alcohol poisoning : This is a life-threatening condition that occurs when there is a dangerously high amount of alcohol in the blood. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, irregular breathing, and low body temperature. Alcohol poisoning can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.
Alcohol use disorder : This is a chronic condition characterised by excessive alcohol consumption and impaired control over drinking. It can lead to serious health consequences, including an increased risk of depression and suicide, as well as long-term health effects such as cancer, liver disease, and brain damage. People with alcohol use disorder may also experience sleep disturbances and night sweats.
Chronic health conditions : Excessive alcohol consumption over an extended period can contribute to various chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, liver disease, and brain damage. These conditions may be detected by a breathalyser due to the presence of alcohol in the breath, even if the individual is not currently drinking.
Medications : Certain medications can interfere with the metabolism of alcohol, causing it to remain in the system longer and potentially resulting in a positive breathalyser test. This is especially important to consider for individuals taking medications for chronic health conditions, as the interaction between alcohol and their medication may impact their health and the effectiveness of their treatment.
Diabetes : Alcohol can affect blood sugar levels, and for people with diabetes, this can impact their diabetes management. Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on various factors such as the amount consumed, the type of drink, and whether food is consumed with the drink. This fluctuation in blood sugar levels can be detected by a breathalyser, especially if the individual's diabetes management is not optimal.
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Inhalers and medication
Breathalysers are used to measure alcohol levels in a person's breath, also known as their Breath Alcohol Content (BrAC), and then calculate their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). While their main function is to detect alcohol, there are other substances and factors that can affect how breathalysers work, potentially leading to positive results even when someone hasn't consumed any alcohol.
Additionally, certain medications can influence breathalyser readings. Cough syrups and liquid medications often contain small amounts of alcohol as a preservative. Popular brands like NyQuil contain up to 10% alcohol, which is enough to potentially impact a breathalyser reading. Acid reflux medications can also influence test accuracy by changing the pH level in the mouth. This chemical change can cause compounds in the breath to register differently on the device.
It is important to note that factors such as the timing of medication usage, medical conditions, and the environment can also impact breathalyser results. If medication was taken shortly before a breathalyser test, it is crucial to inform the relevant authorities and seek legal counsel if necessary.
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Environmental factors
Substance Exposure:
Breathalyser devices are designed to detect alcohol, and this includes alcohol present in certain foods and substances. Mouth alcohol is a common cause of false positives, as alcohol in the mouth, throat, or stomach can significantly impact the breath alcohol reading. This can come from recent use of mouthwash or breath fresheners, which often contain high alcohol levels. For example, Listerine mouthwash contains 26.9% alcohol and can affect breathalyser results for up to 10 minutes. Similarly, consuming food or drinks with alcohol content before a breath test can lead to false readings due to leftover alcohol in the mouth. It is advisable to wait a reasonable amount of time after consuming such products and rinse the mouth with water before taking a breathalyser test.
Temperature and Air Volume:
Variations in temperature and the volume of air exhaled during the test can influence the accuracy of breathalyser results. A person's breath temperature and the amount of air they exhale into the device can impact the detection of alcohol concentration.
Health and Biological Factors:
An individual's health and biological factors, such as body composition, weight, and biological sex, can affect breathalyser readings. People with smaller statures tend to experience intoxication faster. Additionally, higher body fat levels result in higher BAC due to a higher proportional concentration of alcohol in lean tissues. Sex hormones also play a role, as females typically have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for metabolizing alcohol.
Time Since Consumption:
The time elapsed since consuming alcohol is an essential environmental factor. Alcohol can remain detectable in breathalyser tests for up to 12 to 24 hours after drinking, depending on factors like body weight, composition, sex, and the amount of alcohol consumed.
Other Substances and Compounds:
The presence of other compounds and substances in the breath can interfere with breathalyser readings. For example, dieters and diabetics with high acetone levels may experience inaccurate results. Additionally, certain foods and drinks, beyond those containing alcohol, can affect breathalyser results. Waiting a reasonable amount of time after consumption and rinsing the mouth can help mitigate these effects.
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Fermented foods
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
- Kvass
- Yogurt
- Coconut yogurt
- Milk Keifer
However, these foods are unlikely to contain high levels of alcohol. One source notes that lacto-fermentations should have a very low alcohol content. Another source states that bacteria usually aren't found in alcoholic ferments because they tend to take over and/or sour the brew. This is why ciders, kombucha, etc tend to have lower alcohol contents.
It is important to note that the consumption of fermented foods alone may not be enough to cause a false positive. Other factors, such as an individual's overall diet and health conditions, may also play a role. For example, Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS) or gut fermentation syndrome is a rare condition where ethanol is produced through endogenous fermentation in the gastrointestinal system, oral cavity, or urinary system. Individuals with ABS may present signs of alcohol intoxication without consuming alcohol and often report a high-sugar, high-carbohydrate diet.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons this may occur. Firstly, if you have used products containing alcohol, such as mouthwash or breath fresheners, this can skew results. You may also have alcohol in your mouth from a drink consumed up to 12 hours ago. Additionally, certain foods may contain alcohol, so eating before a breathalyser test may cause a false reading.
Aside from external factors, such as the temperature, human error, and the volume of air exhaled, a person's health can affect the accuracy of a breathalyser test. Other compounds in the breath can also affect the reading.
In the US, the BAC limit is 0.08%, but in Utah, it is 0.05%. In the UK, the limit is also 0.08%.
A breathalyser measures the amount of alcohol in the air you breathe out, known as breath alcohol content (BrAC). It then calculates the blood alcohol content (BAC). Some breathalysers use infrared spectroscopy, which projects an infrared beam through the breath sample to detect the presence of alcohol.
