A breathalyzer is reliable for estimating blood alcohol concentration (BAC). However, like any other tool, its accuracy can be affected. It’s not uncommon for drivers to receive readings that are higher than their actual BAC or for alcohol to be detected when someone had not consumed it.
So, what factors can result in a false breathalyzer reading?
Poor calibration
A breathalyzer should be calibrated regularly to ensure accuracy. This is because, over time, its internal components can shift. Its sensor’s ability to detect alcohol can diminish, leading to inaccurate readings.
Calibration aligns the sensor with known alcohol reference solutions and dry gas standards. The device’s internal electronics are also adjusted during calibration, ensuring a breathalyzer provides consistent, accurate results.
A device that is not calibrated regularly can give incorrect readings. This can also be the case when calibration is not done properly.
Other compounds in a driver’s breath
A breathalyzer can detect compounds that contain alcohol on a driver’s breath. Foods, drinks, medications and mouthwashes are examples of elements with such compounds.
Additionally, drivers with certain medical conditions can get a false positive or an inaccurate reading. These include diabetes, acid reflux/ gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), some respiratory illnesses and liver and kidney diseases.
For instance, GERD causes stomach contents, including alcohol, to flow back into the esophagus. If a driver with this condition had drunk one glass of wine before the test, a breathalyzer may detect high amounts of alcohol vapors in the mouth. Further, liver and kidney diseases usually lead to high ammonia levels in the body, which can interfere with a breathalyzer’s readings, and so forth.
If you failed a breathalyzer test, obtain more information about the device and any element you may have been exposed to that might have led to inaccurate readings to defend yourself.