Breathalyzer is a portable device mainly used for alcohol detection among youngsters, students, workers, drivers etc. Alcohol testing is performed at offices, workplaces, schools, colleges, and on highways to prevent alcohol related crimes, accidents, and injuries. Breathalyzers play an important role in maintaining secure and safe conditions on highways and roads by keeping a check on people driving under influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI). The Breathalyzer measures the blood alcohol content (BAC) by indirectly measuring the breath alcohol content.

Myths About Breathalyzers
Breathalyzers are widely used in colleges, schools, offices and particularly for law enforcement. Although it is difficult to tamper the breathalyzers, many people have been trying to adulterate breathalyzer test to avoid arrest and punishment. Following are some myths and truths about breathalyzers:

Myth: Sucking a penny or copper objects in mouth during breathalyzer test can lower the BAC level.
Truth: Many people will try this to prevent to get caught but in fact, sucking a penny will not reduce the BAC count.

Myth: Using breath fresheners or mint lowers the BAC.
Truth: Some mouth fresheners, mints, gums only mask the odor of alcohol and do not reduce the BAC count.

Myth: Using a mouthwash before breathalyzer test can alter the results.
Truth: The little amount of alcohol used in mouthwash only helps to raise the BAC reading rather than lowering it.

Myth: Belching while being tested can tamper the breathalyzer test result.
Truth: It was found that belching can not alter the results even if the person belches directly into the breathalyzer.

Myth: ‘Zima’, a malt beverage is undetectable by breathalyzers.
Truth: ‘Zima’ leaves very little alcohol smell on breath but has same alcohol content as any other simple beer. So, many who consumed ‘Zima’ thought that it can not be detected, but practically alcohol is present in ‘Zima’ even though smell is not there.

Myth: Breathalyzers give 100 percent accurate results.
Truth: Breathalyzers not only identify ethanol in alcoholic drinks but also detect compounds and substances in breath with similar molecular structure. An average human breath consists of many compounds with 80 percent similar molecular structure to ethanol. The breathalyzers can easily detect these compounds and lead to erroneous results.

However, a person doing Hyperventilation immediately for 20-25 seconds just before the breathalyzer test is found to have got decreased BAC readings.

Products Interfering While Testing
Mouthwash or breath sprays meddles the alcohol testing procedure and alter the BAC count measured by the breathalyzer by raising it. For example, Listerine mouthwash, which has 27% alcohol, will change the breath alcohol content. The breathalyzer will misinterpret that the alcohol is from blood rather than directly from mouth and gives high BAC count. Hence, the police officers are not supposed to perform a breathalyzer test for 15 minutes after the person eats, vomits, or put something in mouth. Even Binaca breath spray has been found to alter the BAC count in intoxilyzer 5000. The BAC count was found to have been well above the permissible limits when this breath spray is used.

But the best way to beat the breathalyzers is not to abuse alcohol before driving. It is always better to avoid getting drunk before driving rather than relying on myths to beat the breathalyzers.

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