Types of Breathalyzer

Breathalyzers are devices used to check the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level by indirectly measuring alcohol through a person’s breath.

Typically, this tool has two main components: the plastic tube or straw that one exhales into for a lung air sample and a gauge that calculates the amount of alcohol in the blood stream. With innovation, breathalyzers come in many types, forms and sizes but generally these devices may be classified into: Evidential Breath Testing Devices, Non-evidential Portable Hand-held devices, and Disposable devices.

As the name suggests, results of Evidential Breath Testing Devices are admissible in court. These kind of breathalyzers are not portable, hence, are tabletop devices intended for use in one location only and must be handled by a certified professional. Non-evidential portable hand held devices are good for personal use and are used for preliminary screening only, therefore, the result is not admissible in court. Also utilized only for preliminary screening purposes, Disposable devices are another type but these instruments provide less accurate blood alcohol content.

Specifically, breathalyzers may be pocket units which are digital handheld devices or power-based units which utilize a color chart to measure alcohol levels.

Nowadays, breathalyzers ceased to be a professional tool used only by legal officers, there are personal breathalyzers out in the market today used by individuals, alcohol-serving establishments, work places and schools. Amazingly, there are available handheld breathalyzers which are as small as cell phones or may be carried around like key chains. iBreath is a breathalyzer designed to be used with iPods or iPhones. In addition there is an Alcohol alert coin-operated breathalyzer which works like vending machines and is often placed in bars and other establishment that serve alcohol.