Noah Vinter
Alcohol intoxication is commonly measured through Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) tests, which determine the percentage of alcohol in a person's bloodstream. Typically, BAC is measured through breathalysers, which analyse a person's breath, but blood, urine, and saliva tests can also be used. In the US, motorists may be required to install an ignition interlock device, which measures BAC through breath samples before allowing the vehicle to start.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) |
| Definition | Percentage of alcohol in a person's bloodstream |
| Measurement | Breathalyzer, blood test, urine test, saliva test |
| Legal limit for driving in the US | 0.08% |
| Legal limit for driving in England and Wales | 0.08% |
| Legal limit for driving in Canada | 0.08% |
| Legal limit for driving in Germany | 0.05% |
| Legal limit for driving in Australia | 0.05% |
| Legal limit for driving in South Africa | 0.05% |
| Legal limit for driving in New Zealand | 0.05% |
| Legal limit for driving in Romania | 0.00% |
| Legal limit for driving in the United Arab Emirates | 0.00% |
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What You'll Learn
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
Blood alcohol content (BAC) is the primary way alcohol intoxication is measured. It refers to the percentage of alcohol in a person's bloodstream and can be measured within 30-70 minutes after drinking. BAC is usually determined by a chemical test of breath, blood, urine, or saliva. The breath test is the most common method for measuring BAC and can be done using a breathalyzer, which estimates BAC by analyzing the amount of alcohol in a person's breath. Blood samples for BAC analysis are typically obtained by taking a venous blood sample from the arm.
BAC is expressed as the mass of alcohol per volume of blood. In the US and many other countries, BAC levels are written as a percentage, such as 0.08%, which means there is 0.8 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. Different countries have varying maximum permitted BAC levels for driving, ranging from zero tolerance to 0.08% (0.8 g/L). A BAC level above 0.40% (4 g/L) can be potentially fatal.
The degree of impairment from alcohol varies for each individual depending on factors such as the amount of alcohol consumed, body weight, length of time spent drinking, and whether the person ate before or while drinking. Drivers with a BAC of 0.08% are four times more likely to cause a crash than sober drivers. At 0.10% BAC, the same driver would be up to 240 times more likely to die in a crash caused by drunk driving.
It is important to note that nothing can lower BAC except time. Coffee, cold showers, and drinking water will not help to sober a person up any faster. While there are BAC calculators available, these should not be relied upon to determine if a person is fit to drive or work.
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Breathalyser tests
Breathalysers were invented by Robert Frank Borkenstein in the 1950s, using chemical oxidation and photometry to determine alcohol concentrations. Law enforcement officers commonly use breathalysers during traffic stops to quickly assess a driver's intoxication level. The test is simple: an individual blows into a balloon or a tube, and the device analyses their breath to estimate BAC.
However, it's important to note that factors such as body composition, gender, use of other drugs, stomach contents, and the type of drink can influence BAC levels. Additionally, recent use of mouthwash or breath fresheners, smoking, and even kissing an intoxicated person can skew breathalyser results.
Breathalysers provide a convenient and portable way to measure alcohol intoxication, but they may not always be as accurate as blood or urine tests. Nonetheless, they play a crucial role in road safety by helping to identify impaired drivers and prevent alcohol-related accidents.
In some cases, breathalysers are also used as a condition for driving. For example, courts may require individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated to install and maintain an ignition interlock device in their vehicles. These devices are connected to the ignition system and require a breath sample before the vehicle can be started, helping to ensure that drivers are not operating their vehicles while intoxicated.
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Blood tests
Blood ethanol levels are useful in the diagnosis of alcoholism because individuals who habitually use this drug become tolerant. This diagnosis is suggested when a person can function relatively normally with a blood ethanol level of more than 150 mg/dL. Blood ethanol levels greater than 300-400 mg/dL can be fatal due to respiratory depression.
In terms of driving, a BAC of more than 0.05 percent is legal evidence that a person is impaired, a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher is evidence of intoxication, and a BAC of 0.18 percent or more is evidence of aggravated driving while intoxicated. The only effective way to reduce BAC is to give the liver time to metabolize alcohol. Coffee, cold showers, and drinking water will not help to sober a person up any faster.
In the United States, public intoxication is a crime. The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits crew members from performing their duties within eight hours of consuming an alcoholic beverage, while under the influence of alcohol, or with a BAC greater than 0.04%.
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Urine tests
While blood alcohol content (BAC) is the primary way alcohol intoxication is measured, urine tests are also a reliable way to determine alcohol intoxication. Urine tests are a cost-effective and non-invasive way to test for alcohol consumption. They are relatively safe and do not cause any discomfort. Urine tests can be performed in a clinic or doctor's office, or via at-home testing kits. They are usually available within 1-2 days, while at-home testing kits provide results within minutes.
There are three types of urine tests: one measures unmetabolised alcohol, while the other two measure its metabolites, or breakdown substances. The ethanol urine test measures the ethanol (alcohol) in urine. The ethyl glucuronide (EtG) urine test measures EtG, an alcohol metabolite, which usually has a detection window of 24-72 hours, but may be detected for up to 80 hours after alcohol consumption, especially with heavy drinking. The EtG test is considered one of the most accurate types of urine tests as it can reveal trace amounts of alcohol and has a longer detection window than other tests. The ethyl sulfate (EtS) urine test measures another metabolite, EtS, and usually guarantees accuracy within the first 24 hours, but can also be detected about 80 hours after heavy alcohol use.
It is important to note that urine tests may be inaccurate in some cases, and false positives and negatives are possible. Using products or consuming foods with tiny amounts of alcohol may affect the results.
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Saliva tests
One of the key advantages of saliva tests is their accuracy. Research has shown that saliva tests can be as accurate as blood tests, which are considered the gold standard for detecting alcohol intoxication. Saliva tests are also non-invasive, which reduces the risk of needle-stick injuries for staff and multiple needle punctures for patients. In addition, saliva tests provide rapid results, making them ideal for situations where quick decisions are necessary, such as in forensic investigations or workplace drug testing.
The Alcohol Saliva Strip Test (AST) is a commonly used saliva test for detecting alcohol in the saliva and determining Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). The AST provides on-the-spot, quantitative results for BAC levels of 0.02% or higher. It is important to note that a positive AST result only indicates the presence of alcohol and does not directly measure intoxication. Other factors, such as individual differences in metabolism, can influence BAC levels and the overall interpretation of test results.
While saliva tests offer many benefits, they also have some limitations. One potential drawback is the possibility of false results due to interference from other substances in the mouth, certain foods, or medicines. Additionally, saliva tests may not detect alcohol consumption after a certain period, typically between 6 to 12 hours, depending on various factors. Therefore, understanding the limitations and time sensitivity of saliva tests is crucial for accurate interpretation.
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Frequently asked questions
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is the primary way alcohol intoxication is measured. BAC refers to the percentage of alcohol in a person's bloodstream.
BAC is usually measured using a breathalyser, which estimates BAC by analysing the amount of alcohol in a person's breath. BAC can also be measured through a blood test, or a urine test.
This varies by country. In the US, a BAC of more than .05 percent is legal evidence that you are impaired, and a BAC of .08 percent or higher is evidence of intoxication. In the UK, the limit is %.08.
Mild sedation and poor coordination are symptoms of intoxication at lower doses. Euphoria and lowered social inhibition are also common. At very high BACs, the respiratory system becomes depressed and the person may stop breathing.
No, blood pressure, heart rate, and lung capacity are not effective ways to measure alcohol intoxication. Only time will lower your BAC.
