Self-Test for Breath Alcohol

Alcohol, Breath Test

Results

A breath alcohol test is an estimate of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The test measures the amount of alcohol in the air that you breathe out (exhale). Results are ready right away.

Manual (glass tube/balloon) test

To read the glass tube breath alcohol test, count the number of yellow bands of crystals that turn green.

• 1 green band roughly corresponds to a BAC of 0.00 to 0.05.
• 2 green bands roughly corresponds to a BAC of 0.05 to 0.10.
• 3 green bands roughly corresponds to a BAC of 0.10 to 0.15.

Electronic breath alcohol meter

Some electronic devices have a "traffic light" display.

• A green light indicates a BAC below 0.04.
• A yellow light indicates a BAC between 0.04 and 0.08.
• A red light indicates a BAC above 0.08.

Some devices display the results as an estimated BAC numerical value.

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Author:	Jeannette Curtis	Last Updated: May 9, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
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