Causes of Inaccurate Breathalyzer Readings

Posted by Alcohawk Breathalyzers
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Breathalyzers have proven to be a very effective means of identifying a person’s blood alcohol rate. However, it is possible for inaccurate readings to sometimes be displayed. It is therefore imperative that you are aware of exactly how to operate a breathalyzer in order to be sure that you can depend on the result produced.
Before you Buy a Breathalyzer, ensure that it comes with a set of clear and concise instructions as each device can operate differently. In general, the following points must be adhered to, in order to obtain accurate readings:

  • Keep the device away from extreme temperatures/heat.
  • Wait about 30 minutes after consuming food or drink, especially alcohol before testing.
  • Avoid the use of alcohol-based mouthwashes or breath sprays before testing, as this can inflate your reading.
  • Do not spit, blow smoke, or pour anything onto the sensor of the breathalyzer as it may become damaged.
  • Do not perform the test in cold conditions or in times of high wind. The device needs to be able to warm up between each test and such conditions/environments will hinder this process.
  • You will need to blow into the mouthpiece of the device hard for about 5 seconds.
  • Do not hold your breath before blowing into the mouthpiece as this action will only inflate the reading returned.

There are some health conditions that can affect the accuracy of breathalyzer readings too. People with diabetes and acid reflux conditions can often fail breathalyzer tests even if they have not consumed any alcohol. Why? Well, diabetics tend to have naturally high levels of acetone. Breathalyzers can quite often mistake acetone for ethyl alcohol and therefore display inaccurate blood alcohol levels as a result. In such cases, only a blood test may prove successful in proving the true alcohol levels of a person.