subject: Do You Know How Breathalyzer Works? [print this page] Do You Know How Breathalyzer Works? Do You Know How Breathalyzer Works?
Breathalyzer is used for analyzing the alcohol in the blood through the breath. There are a lot of models of breathalyzer available on the market today. Mostly, they come in the hand-held size so that they are portable. In addition, this device is frequently used in criminal courts.
How does breathalyzer work?
Since this device is focusing on the alcohol analyzing, there are some process of work that this devoice performs. When you drink alcohol, it is not digested in your body. Yet, it is only absorbed into the tissue of your body such as throat, mouth, stomach, intestine, and finally excreted.
As a matter of fact, alcohol leaves the body through the breath. Therefore, the total alcohol in your body is predictable through the breath. Meanwhile, the breathalyzer utilizes electrochemical fuel cell technology which enables this device to identify the alcohol in your blood and calculate it in the percentage.
Furthermore, the result of the blood alcohol content (BAC) in your body is figured according to a partition ratio, breath alcohol ratio to the blood alcohol, or anywhere 1700 and 2400. The result of the reading of the breathalyzer is presented in the percentage of blood alcohol.
What causes the accuracy of the breathalyzer?
However, the reading of your breathalyzer is sometimes inaccurate. There are some factors which potentially cause the inaccuracy reading of the breathalyzer. It is often exploited by the defense lawyers. The temperature of the body and the blood composition is able to influence the artificial high BAC reading. Also, blood in the mouth or vomit can also make the readings to high side.
Furthermore, breathalyzer cannot differentiate ethyl alcohol and similar chemical compounds such as acetone, ketones, and also gasoline. It can also influence the device to perform false high reading. Some other factors which are potential to cause the unreliable results include a recent drink, electrical interference such as cell phones, and police radios.
However, this device is very beneficial for you to use for your personal need as well as for your home use. Also, you can take it anywhere since it comes in a hand-held size.