Breath Testing: Importance, Applications & Guidelines

Road crashes cause considerable impacts on individuals, their families, and the nation. One of the contributing factors to road crashes or injuries is drink driving. Drink driving is an offence wherein a person operates a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. When a person is intoxicated, it affects vital functions like senses, perception, and motor functions. As a result, it reduces one’s abilities, especially driving. Similarly, high cases of alcohol-related incidents affect workplaces. That is why most countries regulate the consumption of alcohol. Particularly in Australia, strict laws have been implemented to minimise the harmful effects of alcohol. One of the preventive measures is conducting breath testing to check the blood alcohol content.

Law enforcement conducts roadside inspections to ensure the safety of the public. Police officers use a portable device called a breathalyser to examine a person’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) through the breath. If the individual consumes alcohol, the device will show the BAC value or the percentage of alcohol in the system. Therefore, checking the BAC level before driving is critical to avoid accidents or legal charges. Many people use personal devices similar to police breathalysers to ensure they are not over the legal limit. Breathalysers Australia offers a comprehensive selection of breathalysers ideal for personal and workplace use. 

Why Breath Testing is Important

Alcohol consumption is a huge part of Australian culture. It plays a central role in many social events or festivities. Likewise, many people consume alcoholic beverages at the end of the workday. It helps them feel relaxed or stimulated. In moderate amounts, alcohol elevates the mood and lowers inhibitions. However, higher doses can severely impair vision, hearing, reaction time, and coordination. Therefore, it poses significant health and safety risks. Thanks to devices like breathalysers, road and workplace accidents are controlled. Furthermore, alcohol breath testing has many benefits:

• Check the exact BAC levels
• Monitor sobriety in the workplace or rehabilitation centres
• Manage safety hazards
• Pull out drink drivers off the road before causing accidents
• Preventing relapse from alcohol use disorder

How Breath Testing Works

Nowadays, using breathalyser devices is common. However, how does a breath screen work, and are they accurate? All breath sample testing is based on the measurement of alcohol in the deep-lung or alveolar air. When a person consumes alcohol, portions rapidly enter the small intestines and the bloodstream. Then, the bloodstream circulates alcohol in several vital organs, including the lungs. The alcohol in the lungs vaporises and exits the system through exhalation. Moreover, Henry’s Law provides the basis for estimating the amount of ethanol in the breath in proportion to the alcohol in the blood. Breath test devices use the 2100:1 ratio, the concentration of ethanol in blood to expired alveolar air. This relationship is also called the blood-to-breath ratio.

Breathalysers use the breath testing theory to calculate the BAC in a person’s breath sample. Additionally, breathalysers use sensor technology to process exhaled breath. When a person blows into the mouthpiece, the sensors undergo a chemical reaction upon contact with alcohol. The breathalysers produce small electrical currents based on the amount of alcohol in the breath and convert it to corresponding BAC values. Furthermore, there are two main types of alcohol testers: semiconductor and fuel cell breathalysers. Semiconductor breathalysers produce a redox reaction to calculate the BAC. However, it can react to various alcoholic substances in the breath sample. On the other hand, the fuel cell breathalyser only reacts with ethanol, making it less likely to produce false-positive results.

Random Roadside Breath Testing

Drink driving is one of the top causes of road crashes and fatalities. Over the years, the government has imposed stricter regulations to make the roads safer. Before breath testing was available, police officers relied on field sobriety tests to assess a driver’s impairment. It includes horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn, and one-leg stand tests. In addition, officers also take note of intoxication signs to assess if a person is drunk. Some of the indicators that someone is impaired are:

• Mental confusion
• Loss of balance when standing or walking
• Bloodshot eyes
• Slurred speech
• Alcohol odour in the breath
• Uncoordinated movements
• Irregular breathing

In July 1976, Victoria became the first state in Australia to enforce random breath alcohol testing. Other Australian states soon followed with more intensified campaigns. Since then, random breath alcohol testing has significantly reduced the number of drink driving incidents. Law enforcement would conduct breath test procedures to check the drivers’ alcohol levels with a police breathalyser. Moreover, police breathalysers utilise advanced fuel cell sensors to measure the BAC accurately. Roadside alcohol screening uses handheld devices to check the BAC. For instance, if the BAC exceeds the legal limit, they are subject to legal charges and penalties. Additionally, police officers may ask drivers to perform an Evidential Breath Test (EBT) at a nearby police station. Only results from approved EBT devices can be used in court as evidence. 

Breath Testing: Drink Driving Laws and Penalties in Australia

Australia imposes a general alcohol limit for driving at 0.05% BAC. It means that a person must not have an alcohol content of 0.05g of alcohol for every 100 ml of blood or more when they drive. In addition, the BAC limit will depend on the license type that they have. For example, persons under a learner’s permit must have zero BAC when driving. Likewise, drivers operating heavy vehicles, public utility vehicles, or carrying dangerous goods have an alcohol limit of 0.02% or zero BAC, depending on the state. Therefore, law enforcement conducts breath testing to minimise accidents and determine drink driving violations. For example, if the BAC shows the person is over the limit, they are subject to penalties. As a result, many individuals test their alcohol content with a personal breathalyser like BACtrack to avoid legal charges.

Impaired-related driving can lead to serious injuries and fatalities. Due to the drastic consequences of alcohol use, drink driving in Australia has severe penalties. Hence, breath alcohol testing is a simple procedure that can save many lives. Breathalysers also provide objective evaluation if a person incurs a driving violation. Thus, the accuracy of the device is critical to apprehending suspected impaired drivers. Depending on the BAC level and the Australian state, drink driving has the following penalties:

• Hefty fines
• Imprisonment
• License suspension or disqualification
• Alcohol interlock

Conducting Breath Testing to Avoid Drink Driving Penalties

Dealing with drink driving charges can be stressful, time-consuming and costly. Additionally, repeat offenders are required to complete the alcohol interlock program. The program allows the person to drive under a limited license. It includes installing an in-car breathalyser where the person must clear a breath test to start the car engine. Therefore, conducting breath testing before driving is the best way to avoid legal charges. Experts recommend checking the BAC every hour to help control intoxication. Breathalysers Australia provides reliable devices to help individuals monitor their BAC levels. Most personal BACtrack breathalysers at Breathalysers Australia have fuel cell sensors, giving accurate results. 

Alcohol Breath Testing in the Workplace

Alcohol intoxication also has detrimental effects in the workplace. It poses significant occupational hazards due to the employee’s reduced mental and physical capabilities. For example, impairment affects the ability to perform tasks safely due to poor concentration, decision-making, and coordination. As a result, it leads to accidents and serious injuries. Work disruptions due to alcohol use also affect productivity and incur high costs. Therefore, more organisations in Australia implement alcohol testing to manage risks. Companies utilise breathalysers to check for alcohol use or impairment. Alcohol screening using a breathalyser is a cost-efficient way to monitor sobriety. It is a non-invasive procedure to determine employees’ alcohol content in the least amount of time.

Like roadside screening, workplace breath testing helps companies reduce alcohol-related incidents. The law also mandates all Australian businesses or organisations to provide workers with a safe and healthy working environment. Therefore, companies must apply all practicable measures to manage occupational hazards. Employers use professional devices like the BACtrack workplace breathalysers to monitor alcohol use efficiently. Moreover, the BACtrack workplace breathalysers use fuel cell sensors, the same technology and accuracy used by law enforcement in roadside screening. In addition, breathalysers are practical devices that do not require a professional to conduct the test. Thus, companies do not need expensive laboratory services to check for alcohol.

When to Conduct Workplace Breath Testing

Workplace accidents may occur at any time without consistent testing. High-risk industries implement a zero-alcohol policy to minimise work disruptions or untoward incidents. Mining, aviation, transportation, construction, and healthcare sectors conduct regular breath testing to keep impaired employees from endangering themselves and others at work. Similarly, more workplaces have established an alcohol policy to improve safety. The policy enables employers to manage risks by conducting an alcohol test under strict guidelines. The common reasons for alcohol testing are:

• Pre-employment: an alcohol test is a common hiring requirement if the job role is safety-critical. It helps employers select the best candidate who does not possess risky behaviour at work.
• Blanket: testing the entire workforce for substance use. The test is scheduled and is a part of an overall medical examination. 
• Post-incident or near-miss: the workplace conducts the test after an accident or near-miss occurs. It helps employers know the exact cause of the incident to help make appropriate decisions.
• Random: the test is conducted unannounced to select participants, where everyone has an equal chance of being chosen. It helps detect workers who are trying to hide their impairment. 
• For-cause: testing specific employees displaying symptoms of alcohol intoxication. This test helps prevent accidents or deter alcohol use. 
• Return-to-duty: evaluating workers after undergoing hospitalisation, treatment or having a prior positive test result. The test determines if they are fit for work after a leave of absence. 

The Reliability of Breathalysers for Breath Testing

A breathalyser or breath analyser is a portable electronic device that examines the breath sample to estimate the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Breathalysers were first intended for law enforcement to help officers apprehend drunk drivers. Through quick breath alcohol tests, police officers can identify how impaired a person is. Over the years, breathalyser technologies have become more advanced and affordable, allowing individuals to use similar equipment. Thus, personal breathalysers help many people monitor their alcohol intake by self-checking their BAC. Similarly, workplaces use professional devices for breath testing. Unlike other methods like urine, oral fluid, and blood tests, a breath test is non-invasive and easily administered. There is also less likelihood of false-positive results, especially with fuel cell breathalysers. Lastly, the device remains accurate for six to twelve months before recalibration, depending on the frequency of usage. 

Understanding BAC Results after Breath Testing

The effectiveness of a breath testing device depends on the correct usage and thorough understanding of alcohol. Firstly, knowing how alcohol affects the body is vital to aid in making informed safety decisions. Alcohol produces mild to severe intoxication, depending on the amount taken. Secondly, alcohol affects each individual differently. Various factors influence the BAC, such as age, gender, body type, metabolism rate, medications, hydration level, and food intake. Furthermore, the body can only process alcohol at one standard drink per hour. As a result, it takes time before a person can be completely sober. Therefore, an individual must know their BAC limit and the effects of each BAC level. The following BAC ranges have subsequent effects:

• 0.01-0.04: slight mood elevation, altered behaviour, and lowered behaviour
• 0.05-0.08: impairment in judgment and senses. It causes blurry vision, reduced hearing, slow reaction, and uncoordinated movements
• 0.09-0.13: significant impairment in motor functions; nausea and vomiting
• 0.14 and above: inadequate breathing, unable to walk without assistance, loss of bladder control, loss of consciousness

The Workplace Breathalysers at Breathalysers Australia

Breathalysers Australia offers high-quality professional devices suited for high-volume workplace use. The workplace breathalysers have enlarged fuel cell sensors to trace alcohol over a complete BAC range. Moreover, the workplace alcohol testers of Breathalysers Australia adhere to international and Australian standards (AS 3547). Therefore, they meet the requirements of an effective breath testing device. Breathalysers Australia presents the following workplace devices:

• BACtrack S80 Gen2 – made specifically for commercial environments requiring accurate and consistent breath test results. The industrial-grade Xtend fuel cell sensor has enhanced linear accuracy suitable for back-to-back testing. Likewise, the S80 Pro Gen2 has adjustable settings, such as blow time, blow strength, and units of measure for increased precision. 
• BACtrack Mobile Gen2 – this breathalyser has smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth technology. It transmits the BAC data directly to the smartphone screen through the BACtrack app. The Mobile Gen2 is modified to meet the remote alcohol monitoring needs of the workplace. It is suitable to meet compliance, especially for industries with employees working off-site.

The BACtrack Personal Breathalysers at Breathalysers Australia

Workplace breathalysers help companies manage occupational risks, while a personal device helps individuals secure their safety. Using a personal breathalyser makes it easy to avoid excessive alcohol consumption. The BACtrack alcohol testers are compact and reasonably priced, making alcohol breath testing convenient. Breathalysers Australia offers the following personal devices:

• Keychain – the BACtrack Go and C6 Keychain are the lightest and sleekest alcohol testers. The BACtrack Go has a fold-away mouthpiece to ensure precise air samples go through the sensors. Therefore, they provide reliable BAC results despite being the most affordable.
• Smartphone – the BACtrack smartphone breathalysers, C6, C8, and Mobile Pro, connect to an iOS and Android device via Bluetooth. People may view the BAC results directly on the device’s digital screen, save, and personalise them for future reference. Moreover, the app integrates with Apple Health tools and a ride-sharing app. Lastly, the BACtrack smartphone breathalysers feature the ZeroLine® technology, which estimates when the BAC will return to 0.00%. 
• Pro-grade – Breathalysers Australia presents the most comprehensive selection of robust alcohol testers through the BACtrack Professional line. The BACtrack S80 Pro, Scout, Mobile Pro, Trace Pro, and Trace Pro Gen2 are personal breathalysers with police-grade accuracy. Furthermore, they utilise the Xtend fuel cell sensors with FDA approval and DOT compliance.

Features of BACtrack Breathalysers

The BACtrack breathalysers have user-friendly functions, making breath testing fast and easy. Each device has distinct characteristics, suiting different needs or preferences. Furthermore, the following features of BACtrack enable convenience and reliable BAC results:

• One-touch operation – it only takes a few seconds after pressing the power button to warm up the sensors. The breathalysers will initiate a countdown timer to prepare when to blow. Once the timer reaches zero, give an adequate breath sample until the end of the beeping sound. 
• Optimal breath capture system – a mini breath pump activates at the end of the test to collect precise sample air. It ensures that only the deep lung air goes through the sensors to be analysed.
• Continuous temperature checking – the BACtrack Pro series has advanced features to ensure breath sample consistency. 
• Adjustable settings – the BACtrack Pro breathalysers allow people to adjust the settings to fit their personal or workplace requirements.
• Mouthpieces – most BACtrack products come with removable mouthpieces. Attaching a mouthpiece helps protect the sensors. When sharing the breathalyser with others, the owner may replace a fresh mouthpiece for sanitary purposes and to avoid affecting the BAC results. 
• Low power requirement – the breathalysers can last up to 1,000 tests from a single battery set.

Breathalysers Australia Sales and Services

Breathalysers Australia provides individuals and companies with reliable breath testing devices through the BACtrack breathalysers. Each alcohol testers undergo quality control to ensure they give accurate BAC readings. Moreover, Breathalysers Australia offers full recalibration services for each breathalyser sold. People may register the unit via email to receive timely reminders when it is due for recalibration. They may select a suitable device at Breathalyser Australia for personal or workplace use. If an individual or business is looking for accuracy, the BACtrack fuel cell breathalysers deliver unparalleled precision for a personal device.

Breath Testing Guidelines

The advantage of breath testing over other procedures is its easy yet accurate operation. However, a breath test using a breathalyser must follow the correct guidelines for precise results. Before using a breathalyser, it is important to wait 15 to 20 minutes after eating, drinking, or smoking. This is because this is the average time for alcohol in the stomach to reach the lungs through the bloodstream. It also eliminates the likelihood of mouth alcohol (alcohol residue in the mouth) affecting the breath test or giving an inaccurately high BAC reading. Once the alcohol has reached the lungs, it will vaporise and exit through exhalation.

To start the testing, take a deep breath and provide sufficient samples into the device. The breathalyser then processes the sample and delivers the BAC results. Experts also recommend taking the test in an alcohol-free or smoke-free room. It prevents alcohol fumes from entering the sensors and affecting the test results. Likewise, smoke and other ambient air can damage the sensors. Waiting one minute for recovery before taking another test is recommended. It will also help prolong the lifespan of the breathalyser. Moreover, ensure the device is periodically recalibrated to maintain its accuracy. Breathalyser sensors will drift after some time. They may send the unit for recalibration after a prescribed period or if they notice the results becoming inconsistent.

Conclusion

Alcohol breath testing is a simple and effective way to manage risks or prevent accidents. Workplaces can benefit from a professional breathalyser to help monitor sobriety, reduce untoward incidents, and improve productivity. It also helps employers comply with the state’s safety requirements and mitigate legal liabilities. Likewise, a personal breathalyser helps individuals monitor their alcohol consumption from reaching dangerous levels. Therefore, individuals do not need to rely on guesses if they are safe to drive. Workplace and personal breathalysers are cost-efficient in securing safety at work or on the road. Thus, they deter alcohol misuse and promote awareness. People may select from the various BACtrack breathalysers available at Breathalysers Australia. Stay safe and responsible with the BACtrack breathalysers.