What is Breath-Alcohol Testing?

In 2022, there were 13,524 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in the United States—equivalent to about 37 people every day or one person every 39 minutes. Approximately 67% of these fatalities occurred in traffic crashes involving drunk drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 g/dL or higher, according to recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Alaska ranks third in the nation for alcohol-related death rates, with 41.0 deaths per 100,000 people and leads the country in the highest costs associated with excessive alcohol consumption, according to a recent study from Lantana Recovery.

These fatalities were all preventable.

At MedPhysicals Plus, we provide reliable breath-alcohol testing (BAT) as part of our employer services, helping businesses in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Wasilla maintain a safe and responsible workforce.

How does it work?

Alcohol is absorbed directly through the stomach and small intestine before entering the bloodstream. A breath alcohol test measures the amount of alcohol in the air you exhale to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC).

BAT is widely used by law enforcement to identify impaired drivers and improve road safety. The results of breathalyzer tests administered by police are admissible as evidence in court.

Source: Healthline

The legal limit in the U.S. when driving for the BAC is 0.08. According to the 2020-2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines, the average amount to stay under this limit is two drinks or fewer per day for men and one drink or fewer per day for women.

BAC is measured by grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood, or per 100 milliliters (mL) of blood. This means for every 100 mL of blood, there are 0.08 grams of alcohol.

What are the types of BAT?

Electronic breath alcohol testing is more often referred to as a breathalyzer test. This is the most commonly used method for alcohol breath testing. During this test, you blow into a mouthpiece, and the device provides an immediate BAC reading.

The manual breath alcohol test also requires you to breathe into a tube. However, the manual test isn’t connected to an electronic reader. Instead, you blow into a balloon, then release the air into a glass tube filled with crystals. The crystals change color to indicate the presence and level of alcohol.

Why alcohol testing matters in the workplace:

  • It promotes a safer workplace and reduces accident risks.
  • It increases employees productivity and efficiency.
  • It enhances workplace culture when employees comply with safety standards and regulations.

BAT testing with MPP

MedPhysicals Plus uses an Intoximeter device, a trusted leader in breath-alcohol testing since 1945. Our advanced equipment accurately determines an individual’s BAC and provides direct reporting to the employer.

At MPP, we have certified breathalyzer technicians ready to help keep your workforce safe and responsible. Using our precise tools, we can measure exactly how much alcohol is in a person’s blood. Additionally, we offer a variety of reporting and randomizer tools to design a customized alcohol testing program that fits your specific needs.

We also provide DOT-compliant testing for all DOT-sensitive functions, as well as post-accident testing. You can count on us to help maintain a safe and compliant workplace!