Breathalyzer is a play on breath and analyzer and it is a device used primarily to estimate the blood alcohol content (BAC) from a breath sample. Breathalyzer is really the name of the breath alcohol analyzers manufactured by Smith and Wesson however due to their commercial success however the term has been used as a generic term to refer to devices of with the same functions. Nowadays, you can find a number of blood alcohol content analyzers to choose from, ranging from those used by law enforcement agencies to personal breathalyzers. Regardless of its end-user, these implements undergo rigid product testing prior to sale as a way of guaranteeing that  the results they yield are precise, and in the case of professional-grade ones, admissible to court.  

Alcohol, while volatile, retains the same chemical make-up even in the circulatory system. As the blood goes through the lungs, some of the alcohol moves into the air sacs and expelled during exhalation. Hence, the level of alcohol in that expired air is consistent with that in the blood. As the individual exhales into the Breathalyzer, the unit detects the existence of ethanol and calculates how much alcohol is present in that sample.   

Law enforcement agencies use two kinds of Breathalyzer. They have a desktop analyzer for testing inside the law enforcement facility and hand-held ones to conduct field sobriety tests on drivers they believe are intoxicated. Bigger analyzers utilize either infrared spectrophotometer or electrochemical fuel cell technology, at times both. Hand-held models on the other hand use electrochemical platinum fuel cell analysis in general. These days, there are also consumer versions of these devices. Personal breathalyzers, which are also portable, utilize semiconductor-based sensing technology. The technology built into consumer models is less sophisticated than their infrared and fuel cell counterparts making them more affordable. Although these personal-use devices can test for the presence of alcohol, the results they yield are inadmissible as evidence. 

These personal breathalyzers can be used by bars to test customers who appear too drunk to drive. If you are hosting a get together, you can use this to test guests you suspect had way too much booze. You can even have one for yourself, kept in your vehicle so that you are able to check if it safe for your to drive after having a drinking session with your buddies. Households with family members who are recovering alcoholics could also keep one to test visitors. This ensures that the recovering alcoholic stay sober.  

Personal breathalyzers these days have a number of exciting functions too, which makes them somewhat multi-functional. For example, you can find breath analyzers that are built into key chains. A number of them can be used as clocks, stopwatch, and alarms. But more than their bells and whistles you should check if the device is accurate and easy to use. Some devices also require periodic factory recalibration which can be costly in the long run. Reading multiple personal breathalyzer reviews can help you ascertain these aspects. Personal breathalyzer reviews, especially those made by consumers like you, will show issues otherwise not mentioned in the manufacturer’s website.

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