What can a breathalizer detect?

A breathalyzer is a measuring instrument used for estimating blood alcohol content (BAC) from the analysis of alveolar breath. The name breathalyzer is a portmanteau of the words breath and analyzer. The breathalyzer device was developed in the 1950s and was first used in the United States in 1954.

The device works on the principle that alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and lungs, and it is then transported to the lungs, where it is excreted through the breath. The concentration of alcohol in the breath is directly proportional to the concentration of alcohol in the blood, so the breathalyzer measures the concentration of alcohol in the breath and estimates the BAC.

The breathalyzer is a widely used tool for law enforcement agencies to detect drunk drivers. It is also used in various other settings, such as workplace safety programs, school safety programs, and healthcare settings.

The breathalyzer device consists of a mouthpiece, a sampling tube, a reaction chamber, and an analyzer. The person undergoing the test blows air into the mouthpiece, and the air sample is drawn through the sampling tube into the reaction chamber. In the reaction chamber, the alcohol in the air sample reacts with a chemical solution, and a color change occurs. The color change is detected by the analyzer, which converts it into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then processed and displayed as a BAC reading.