What Besides Alcohol Can Set Off a Breathalyzer?
Breathalyzers, or breath alcohol testing devices, are designed to detect the presence of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) in a person's breath. While highly accurate for detecting alcohol, several other substances can trigger a false positive result, leading to inaccurate readings. Understanding these potential interferents is crucial for both law enforcement and individuals undergoing testing. This is especially important because the consequences of a false positive can be serious.
Here's a breakdown of substances that can affect breathalyzer readings, categorized for clarity:
Substances that Mimic Alcohol:
While rare, some chemicals share similar properties with ethanol and can produce a positive breathalyzer result, even in the absence of alcohol consumption. These are usually found in industrial settings or specialized chemical environments and are unlikely to cause false positives in everyday situations.
Foods and Beverages Containing Alcohol:
This is a much more common source of false positives. Many foods and beverages contain small amounts of alcohol produced naturally during fermentation. These can include:
- Mouthwash: Many mouthwashes contain alcohol. Using mouthwash shortly before a breathalyzer test can significantly inflate the reading.
- Certain cough syrups: Some over-the-counter cough syrups contain alcohol as an ingredient.
- Baked goods: Breads, cakes, and other baked goods can contain small amounts of residual alcohol from the fermentation process. However, the amount is generally too low to significantly affect a breathalyzer unless consumed in extremely large quantities.
- Fermented foods: Foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha undergo fermentation and might contain trace amounts of alcohol. Again, this is unlikely to trigger a significant false positive unless substantial quantities are consumed.
Other Substances that Can Affect Breathalyzer Readings:
Certain medical conditions and other factors can also influence breathalyzer results:
- Acetone: This chemical compound is present in the body when individuals have uncontrolled diabetes or are on a very low-carbohydrate diet (ketogenic diet). Acetone can produce a false positive result, albeit usually less significant than alcohol.
- Certain medications: Some medications might produce compounds that interfere with the breathalyzer's sensors. It's essential to inform law enforcement or medical personnel of any medications taken.
- Reflux or vomiting: Stomach contents containing alcohol might be expelled into the mouth and affect breathalyzer results, even if the alcohol was consumed earlier.
How Are False Positives Handled?
Law enforcement officers typically use multiple testing methods to verify results. If a breathalyzer test produces a positive result but the officer suspects a false positive, further investigations, including blood alcohol tests, might be conducted. Blood tests are generally considered the gold standard for alcohol level determination.
Can a Breathalyzer Test Differentiate Between Alcohol and Other Substances?
Current breathalyzers are primarily designed to detect ethanol. They don't differentiate between ethanol and other substances that might cause a false positive. Advanced testing methodologies are being developed, but the widespread use of such technology is yet to be implemented.
What Should You Do If You Suspect a False Positive?
If you believe a breathalyzer test result is inaccurate due to something other than alcohol consumption, it is crucial to inform law enforcement and medical professionals of any relevant factors such as medications, medical conditions, or recent consumption of alcohol-containing foods. Request further testing, if possible.
In conclusion, while breathalyzers are reliable tools for detecting alcohol, they are not foolproof. Various factors can interfere with the accuracy of breathalyzer tests, leading to potential false positives. Understanding these potential interferents is key to interpreting breathalyzer results accurately and fairly.
