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Can You Trick a Breathalyzer?

Misconceptions persist about what breathalyzers can and can’t do and how a person might be able to "beat" one in a roadside test. The following separates fact from fiction.

Fiction:
Breath fresheners, breath mints, and mouthwash can mask alcohol and/or lower BAC readings.
Fact:
Better look before you gargle. Breath fresheners such as gum, mints, or sprays may cover up the odor, but they cannot change the amount of alcohol present in your breath. Some mouthwash even contains alcohol, and therefore can inflate BAC readings.
Fiction:
You can beat a breathalyzer test by sucking on a penny.
Fact:
This urban myth is surprisingly widespread, and also completely false. Placing a copper penny or any other form of currency under your tongue does not affect breathalyzer results whatsoever. Nor do other supposed elixirs, such as herbal formulas, charcoal pills, garlic, or snake oil.
Placing a copper penny or any other form of currency under your tongue does not affect breathalyzer results whatsoever.
Fiction:
Breathalyzers don’t work as well on smokers as they do on non-smokers.
Fact:
Acetaldehyde is an organic compound that occurs at significantly higher levels in the lungs of smokers than non-smokers. Some lower cost semiconductor breathalyzers may be affected by exceptionally high acetaldehyde levels, however Professional Grade BACtrack Breathalyzers are not. BACtrack's Professional Grade units, which utilize the same technology law enforcement officers use, are sensitive enough not to be thrown by this compound.
Fiction:
You can beat a breathalyzer by hyperventilating, exercising, or holding your breath before you blow.
Fact:
An often-cited decades-old study found that hyperventilation and vigorous exercise did indeed lower subjects' BAC readings by as much as 10%. Conversely, holding their breath actually increased subjects’ BAC readings by up to 20%. Unfortunately, these activities can also render one light-headed and gasping for air – behavior that would undoubtedly capture the attention of law enforcement officers who suspect an individual of being under the influence. In addition, not blowing hard into a breathalyzer is little use, as the air pump technology present in BACtrack Professional Grade Breathalyzers can provide accurate BAC readings even with small breath samples.
Fiction:
Breathalyzer test results can be used in court.
Fact:
Breathalyzers are used as preliminary roadside screening tools to help law enforcement officers assess drivers’ suspected of being drunk. Breath test results may help an officer determine if a subject should be arrested for suspicion of DUI, but results are not always admissible in court.

BACtrack Breathalyzers being put to the test by a company of lawyers on the Dr. Phil Show. 

Fiction:
Breathalyzers only measure alcohol – and nothing else.
Fact:
Substances that contain small amounts of alcohol can produce false positives, for example some mouthwashes and toothache medicines. In addition, some personal breathalyzers may measure compounds that are similar in molecular structure to alcohol, such as acetone, which is present in the breath of diabetics and persons on high protein diets. False results can also be triggered by paint fumes, varnish, cleaning chemicals that contain rubbing alcohol, and some plastics and adhesives.
Fiction:
Breathalyzers are 100% accurate.
Fact:
All commercial breathalyzer products can reliably determine if alcohol is present in a breath sample. But the accuracy of breath test results can vary substantially. Breathalyzer models are generally divided into two categories: for personal use or professional use. Professional-grade breathalyzers offer extremely high accuracy and sensitivity, and employ the same advanced fuel cell sensor technology that is used by law enforcement for roadside alcohol testing. Because prices for fuel cell devices have come down in recent years, they are increasingly popular for personal use. Breathalyzers that use semiconductor sensors are usually associated with personal use. (Read more about breathalyzer sensor types.) All breathalyzers must be calibrated periodically in order to maintain accuracy, and failure to do so can affect BAC readings.
The only real way to "beat" the breathalyzer is to stay informed of your BAC by owning and using a BACtrack every time you drink. By keeping informed of how your body processes alcohol and knowing your estimated BAC at all times, you can make more informed decisions.

Make the smart move. Stay informed of your BAC with your own BACtrack breathalyzer.

BACtrack C6 Keychain Breathalyzer
Learn more

BACtrack C6

SMARTPHONE KEYCHAIN BREATHALYZER

$69.99

Powered by BACtrack's proprietary BluFire® fuel cell sensor technology, the all-new BACtrack C6 Keychain Breathalyzer is the smallest professional-grade alcohol tester ever created! The C6 offers BACtrack's new "Dual-Mode" operation. Choose "Standalone Mode" and your BAC results are delivered directly to a bright, easy-to-read OLED screen. Alternatively, choose "App Mode" and the BACtrack C6 seamlessly pairs with your smartphone via Bluetooth. Using the free BACtrack App, you can quickly and easily estimate your BAC, track your results over time, and with ZeroLine®, estimate when your BAC will return to 0.00%. You can even call an Uber™ directly from the App if you've had too much.

Perfect for any social situation, from happy hour to dinner parties, the ultra-portable BACtrack C6 keychain breathalyzer will help you and your friends drink smarter and make better decisions while drinking.

BACtrack C Series Breathalyzer Mouthpieces
C-Series Breathalyzer Mouthpieces

6 Responses

Annie
Annie

March 02, 2017

can pizza crust made with yeast trigger a BAC?

Brian
Brian

February 14, 2017

If I Were To Use Mouthwash With 26.9% Alcohol, Would The Breathalyzer See It As Equivalent To, Say, Taking A Shot?

BACtrack Support
BACtrack Support

October 20, 2015

Great question, Jennifer. Yes, that is possible. If food you are eating is cooked in alcohol, it certainly can translate into a measurable BAC reading. The reason for the long waiting period , as you may have guessed, is probably because the alcohol wasn’t released into your system until the food was digested. Thanks so much for getting in touch.

Jennifer Rutledge
Jennifer Rutledge

October 19, 2015

Can a stew made with beer and cooked in a crock pot be the cause of a low reading such as .009? If so, since food takes longer to digest, is it possible for that .009 reading to show up for a fairly long period, anywhere from 1-4 hours, after eating the stew?

BACtrack Support
BACtrack Support

September 28, 2015

Thanks for getting in touch, Bruce. False positives are possible if you are using certain inhalers or are diabetic, and utilize a breathalyzer with a semiconductor sensor. However, our Professional Grade BACtracks are equipped with Xtend Fuel Cell Sensors, and so are not affected by substances other than alcohol. Please contact us at support@BACtrack.com and we are happy to help you right away.

Bruce Haughey
Bruce Haughey

September 24, 2015

I have COPD and use an albuterol inhaler. I notice my BAC track will give me a reading between 0.3 and 0.5. If one has an interlock device that goes off randomly which can be at anytime while you are driving and you must blow into the device and get a false reading. I have tested my BAC track and it will sometimes register 0.3 for up to 15 minutes. I also have trouble getting enough breath to at times get a reading.

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