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A BIG MARGIN OF ERROR

 

Not only can breathalyzers malfunction but they are also not as accurate at determining BAC as an actual blood test. According to scientific studies, when comparing breathalyzer estimates to actual BAC results taken from a blood sample, the margin of error is 50%. False results could stem from the following:

 

• Poor calibration: Handheld breathalyzers use a silicon oxide sensor, which can be contaminated by substances other than breath alcohol. They need to be calibrated or replaced every six months. An un-calibrated breathalyzer will produce inaccurate readings.

• Compounds interfering with the reading: Older breathalyzers can confuse the molecular structure of ethanol with other substances of a similar molecular structure or reactivity, such as acetone. This misidentification will produce a false positive.

• Overestimation of BAC: Certain breathalyzers assume the person being tested is of a particular body type, meaning the weight of alcohol to the volume of breath is standard for the reading. While most people fit that BAC category, some will show a higher amount of alcohol on their breath, which may not accord with the level of alcohol in their blood.

• Alcohol in the mouth: Anyone who has ever experienced heartburn will know the familiar sensation of belching up stomach acid along with whatever it was working so hard to digest. If a person taking a breathalyzer test burped up alcohol recently, the device would give a false reading. Use of mouthwash can also skew results, as many types of mouthwash and breath fresheners contain alcohol.

 

Learn more by visiting: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.1932.html