Many cultures and traditions ingrain alcohol as part of their celebrations. Alcohol is a widely consumed beverage and has pleasing effects at moderate amounts. Some people occasionally drink, while some consume alcohol regularly to help them destress from work. Although alcohol is a social norm, excessive consumption has many adverse short-term and long-term consequences to health and safety. Over time, alcohol use develops to certain health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart and liver diseases and digestive problems. You can limit your alcohol intake to minimise health and safety risks. In addition, alcohol can lead to impairments like reduced coordination, which is necessary for safe driving. You can monitor your alcohol level through a blood alcohol screening test to keep you sober and safe.

Blood alcohol is the alcohol concentration in the bloodstream. After consuming alcohol, it travels to different body organs and affects the senses. The blood alcohol content (BAC) is the weight of alcohol in grams for every 100ml of blood. It directly indicates a person’s level of intoxication.  For example, a high BAC level significantly impairs vision, hearing, reaction time, coordination, balance, and memory. A blood alcohol screening test measures the BAC level to determine how intoxicated a person is. You can measure the BAC through a blood test or a breathalyser test. A breathalyser is a portable device that estimates the alcohol level through a sample breath. Breathalysers Australia offers a wide range of BACtrack breathalysers accurate and reliable BAC tests.

Blood Alcohol Screen Test

Alcohol affects everyone differently. Some people manage alcohol in larger doses, while some feel lightheaded with one standard drink. This is because many factors affect the BAC. For instance, a person’s age, gender, weight, body fat, food intake, medication, and metabolism influence the increase of BAC. While alcohol intake may have noticeable effects, some people appear clear despite consuming alcohol. Unfortunately, no alcohol level is safe for driving or operating heavy equipment. A blood alcohol screening test identifies the amount of ethanol in the body. It measures the BAC level to determine if a person is under the influence of alcohol.  You can measure the BAC through the following procedures:

• Blood Test – A doctor or certified collector draws up blood samples for analysis. 
• Breath Test – Alcohol portions that reach the lungs exit through exhalation. A breathalyser like BACtrack captures the exhaled breath and processes it to estimate the BAC through the sensors. The volume of alcohol in the breath is proportional to the alcohol in the blood. 
• Urine Test – A urine test can detect alcohol 12 to 48 hours after drinking.
• Saliva Test – The test screens the saliva for alcohol content of 0.2 – 0.3% BAC.

Blood Sample Test

A blood sample test is the most accurate test since it quantifies the alcohol concentration directly from the blood. During the test, a certified professional draws up blood from the vein in the arms using a small needle. The sample is transferred to a vial or tube for analysis. A blood alcohol test is most accurate within 6 to 12 hours from last consumption. However, it is not accessible as a breath alcohol test. That is why a blood alcohol screening test is done first through a breathalyser to confirm alcohol use. For instance, police officers ask suspected DUI drivers to blow into a breathalyser. If the test returns a positive result, the police will ask for a blood sample test at a police station.

Screening for Alcohol in Australia

In Australia, the legal limit for alcohol is 0.05% BAC. Therefore, driving with a BAC equal to or greater than 0.05% is subject to criminal charges and penalties. The penalties include fines, imprisonment, court trials, driving disqualification, and an alcohol interlock program. To prevent DUI charges, many people use a personal breathalyser to check the BAC level before driving. A breathalyser is a practical and suitable blood alcohol screening test to monitor the intoxication level. Additionally, it only takes a few seconds to conduct an alcohol breath test. Using the BACtrack breathalyser takes a few seconds to warm up and take a breath test. Then, it returns the BAC results in only 10 to 15 seconds. It is efficient to monitor the BAC level and moderate alcohol consumption.

Purpose of Blood Alcohol Test

A blood alcohol screening test is effective in detecting alcohol through blood, breath or urine. Aside from roadside screenings, it also serves several purposes for the following reasons:

• Workplace testing – Safety-critical industries implement a zero-tolerance policy to minimise safety risks by alcohol impairment. In Australia, alcohol use contributes to a large number of accidents. It is critical that all workers are clear while on duty. The employer may conduct a random test to monitor sobriety or a post-incident test after an accident occur. 
• Medical testing – blood alcohol testing is essential in diagnosing alcohol poisoning. Excessive alcohol intake affects breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and gag reflex. 
• Alcohol Use Disorder Monitoring – Monitoring the alcohol level is necessary while undergoing treatment or rehabilitation. 
• Legal testing – a blood sample test can be used as evidence for drink driving offence.

Importance of Alcohol Screening Test

Blood alcohol screening test helps monitor unhealthy or excessive alcohol use. It also identifies people who are at risk of developing health and social problems, especially in family relationships and work. In addition, more workplaces implement alcohol policies to manage safety risks. Workplace accidents lead to low output, increased absenteeism and turnover rates, and high healthcare costs. Consistent alcohol testing helps deter alcohol use and promote healthier and safer practices. In addition, it improves productivity and morale among employees.

A blood alcohol screening test is also vital in monitoring the BAC level before driving. The BACtrack breathalysers measure the BAC to know if you are over the legal limit. You can test your breath after a few rounds of drinks to see how it affects your BAC. If your BAC is nearing 0.05%, you can slow down your intake or stop completely. You can also use it to monitor the decline of your BAC.

Blood Alcohol Screening Devices

Breathalysers Australia has comprehensive alcohol testers ideal for personal or professional use. Get the most cost-efficient blood alcohol screening test through BACtrack breathalysers. Most BACtrack breathalysers use fuel cell sensor technology to measure the BAC accurately. Fuel cell sensors have pro-grade accuracy, the same technology used by law enforcement in roadside screenings and hospitals. Breathalysers Australia features the Pro series of BACtrack like the award-winning BACtrack S80 Pro. The S80 Pro has the largest Xtend fuel cell sensor to determine the precise BAC level. It can accurately trace alcohol right through 0.400%. In addition, the BACtrack smartphone breathalysers feature the ZeroLine technology through a companion app. The ZeroLine technology quickly estimates how long your BAC level will return to 0.00% so you can make informed decisions.