Blood Alcohol Level
The blood alcohol level or the BAC (blood alcohol content) is the volume of alcohol in the blood compared to the volume of vole. This is calculated by a ratio without a unit. Typically, the number that most people use when determining the blood alcohol level of someone is percentages. Different states have different “acceptable” BACs; however, it is a punishable crime if you operate a vehicle when your BAC is above your state’s legal limit.
There are three different types of measurements used to determine the BAC of someone:
- Volume of alcohol per volume of exhaled breath (ex 0.05mL/1L)
- Mass per volume of blood in the body (ex 0.05g/L)
- Mass of alcohol per mass of the body (ex 0.05g/kg)
Each is an effective way of determining if the person is going to be impaired or not.
The Effects of BAC
| BAC | Behavior | Impairment |
| 0.01 – 0.029 | Normal Appearances | Very little impairment |
| 0.03 – 0.059 | Relaxation, Decreased Inhibition | Alertness disappears, poor judgment |
| 0.06 – .10 | Blunted feelings, disinhubition | Reflexes and reasoning disappear |
| 0.11 – 0.20 | Over-expression, boisterous | Slow reaction time, slurred speech |
| 0.21 – 0.29 | Stupor | Severe Motor Losses |
| 0.30 – 0.39 | Possible death, unconsciousness | Breathing, heart rate |
| 0.40> | Death | Death |
Getting Rid of Alcohol
To lower the BAC of an individual, the only way is to stop drinking. It is suggested that every hour, a person’s BAC reduces 0.015%. Therefore, it would take three hours for someone with 0.045% BAC to become completely sober.
The body gets rid of alcohol by a process known as metabolism as well as purification in the liver and kidneys. The kidneys circulate the blood and remove anything that is not beneficial to the body. The liver gets rid of any toxins that might be involved in the alcohol. It is because of this that, when someone is a heavy drinker, their liver and kidneys begin to give a lot sooner than everything else. They are undergoing the most bombardment from toxins.
Police officers use the BAC as a way of determining if someone is too impaired to drive. Eating more won’t change the BAC of an individual because the alcohol is being absorbed regardless. Therefore, it is important to keep track of your drinks and determine how much time you are going to need to become sober. In most states, you can lose your license if you are pulled over for driving will intoxicating.
