Breathalyzer in the traffic police: a real method of divorce or does it just seem?

What are breathalyzers: how they work

Breathalyzers (alcometers) are measuring instruments that show what percentage of alcohol is contained in the human body through analysis of exhaled vapors. A short test shows whether the driver is drunk and makes it possible to make a decision on the advisability of sending the citizen for a more detailed medical examination.

What does the traffic police breathalyzer show? How much alcohol is contained in the air exhaled by a citizen. Its vapors contact a special sensor, after which the microcomputer displays the final figure on the screen.

different types on the market :

• Depending on the range of potential buyers: personal (purchased by the drivers themselves) and specialized (more powerful and advanced, used by traffic police officers and doctors).
• Depending on the type of sensor (more accurate electrochemical and low-cost semiconductor ).
• Depending on the method of testing ( with or without into which the driver inhales ).

Electrochemical models suggest that the alcohol released by breathing reacts with components inside the device . The numbers shown on the display and demonstrating the degree of intoxication depend on the intensity of its occurrence.

Semiconductor options operate in a different way. They have a built-in tester that releases alcohol vapor from the air entering the device. The numbers on the display change depending on its percentage. Such devices are less accurate because they are not equipped with protection against exhalation simulation.

The need to have documents for a breathalyzer

The driver can and should request documents for a breathalyzer from the traffic police. First of all, a copy of the GOST certificate of conformity for this device, certified by the seal of the traffic police department (the certificate must be valid, the date must be appropriate). A valid certificate of verification of the device must also be presented (valid for 1 year). Pay attention to the seal located on the reverse side of one of the fastening bolts. The mouthpiece must be sealed.

What does a breathalyzer show: ppm or mg/l?

To determine blood alcohol content and the degree of intoxication, two types of indicators are used:

The first units of measurement are used by physicians when conducting research in a healthcare institution. To do this, blood is taken, the percentage of alcohol is calculated, and the degree of intoxication is determined using special tables.

The second units of measurement are indicated by traffic police officers when conducting a breathalyzer test. They show what percentage of alcohol is in the exhaled air.

The data obtained in two different ways are related to each other. One ppm is approximately two mg/l. For example, a reading of 0.16 mg/l on a breathalyzer used by representatives of the traffic police is equivalent to a blood test reading of 0.35 ppm.

Blood test data is considered more accurate because it eliminates the influence of factors that could affect the test results. If the driver has a dispute with traffic police officers, it is recommended to go for a medical examination to resolve it.

What does the breathalyzer show?

› › › In our country, the adopted amendment to Article 12.8 of the Code of Administrative Offenses recently came into force, which prescribes the permitted (maximum permissible ppm level, the presence of which in the driver’s body is not a violation).

These data fall within the permissible limit of up to 0.16 mg/l of exhaled air (based on breathalyzer readings). These alcohol levels are considered legal. Moreover, the current law also provides for complete sobriety of drivers driving a vehicle.

But why does what the breathalyzer shows come into some kind of conflict with the official Resolution? The fact is that during the operation of the device and its final readings, possible errors are taken into account.

In order not to undeservedly lose your rights when testing with a breathalyzer, you should know some of the nuances of this procedure. A breathalyzer is a special device for measuring and indicating the level of alcohol in a person’s blood (exhaled air is analyzed).

By the way, the human body itself can produce a certain amount of ethanol (in case of diseases or any syndromes). Ethyl alcohol is found in some soft drinks, foods and medicines. These factors are also taken into account.

Design features.

What external factors influence breathalyzer readings?

The devices used by traffic police representatives show the concentration of alcohol in the air vapor exhaled by the motorist, but do not explain its origin . This causes errors and inaccuracies associated with the rapid test. There are the following factors leading to distortion of its results:

• Dangerous drinks

You should not believe advertising: the percentage of alcohol in non-alcoholic beer is not zero, so after drinking it, a breathalyzer shows up to 0.1 mg/l. Food products, such as kefir, have a similar effect. Experts advise drivers to avoid drinking drinks with liqueurs or sweets with alcohol filling before traveling.

Equipment readings are affected by citrus fruits, bananas, Borodino bread, cakes and pastries. If traffic police officers conduct a test, its result will reach 0.15 mg/l.

• Pharmaceuticals

If medications are alcohol-based (for example, motherwort, valerian), their use affects the breathalyzer values. A refreshing mouth spray has a similar effect.

• Features of the body

The high level of endogenous alcohol is due to the peculiarities of metabolism in the body. If the breathalyzer shows an excess, a blood test will help to understand the situation.

• Instrument error

Even expensive equipment used by law enforcement agencies has measurement errors. According to rough estimates, it reaches 0.05 mg/l. An error made during the inspection may result in an administrative case being exceeded in 2021. Other factors that affect accuracy include wear on the breathalyzer, hot weather, or high humidity.

• Fraud by traffic police officers

The capture of a drunk driver is the merit of the traffic police inspector. To hold a citizen accountable, he can lubricate the surface of the mouthpiece with alcohol. If a motorist is sure that he did not drink alcohol before the trip, he should carefully check the cleanliness of the equipment and, if a dispute arises, request a medical examination.

Acceptable limits of breathalyzer readings

To read the readings correctly, you should understand what standards are regulated in certain countries. In particular, the highest allowable figure is ‰ 1.00 in some US states. But Hungary, Czechoslovakia and a number of other countries do not allow the presence of alcohol in the blood at all, that is, ‰ = 0.00. In Russia, in 2008, the permissible norm of 0.3 ‰ was adopted, however, the law was adopted taking into account the errors of measuring instruments, the characteristics of the body, that is, factors influencing the readings of the device. This situation led to a complete ban on the consumption of alcoholic beverages and “zero ‰”, which also turned out to be impossible due to the characteristics of the human body and the inaccuracy of measurements on a breathalyzer.

In 2013, the acceptable level returned again to 0.16‰ when exhaled or 0.3‰ in the blood. Breathalyzer readings within this interval are considered normal; no complaints are made against drivers. However, the inaccuracy of these measuring instruments often leads to a situation where the slightest excess in ppm leads to the fact that the motorist is considered drunk and punished to the fullest extent of the law. There is only one way out - do not drink while driving, before the intended trip and allow the alcohol to leave the body after the previous rest.

WHAT ARE PPMILLE AND UNITS OF ALCOHOL MEASUREMENT

Blood alcohol content is measured in the following units: 1. mg/100 ml or mg/% - milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood 2. %BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) - grams of alcohol in 100 ml of blood (g/100ml), or 1 % 3. Promille – in simple terms: the alcohol content in the blood, denoted as ‰BAC. Officially it is: grams of alcohol per liter of blood (g/l) or equivalent to milligrams of alcohol per milliliter of blood (mg/ml).

Accordingly, 0.5 g/l = 0.05 (g/100ml) = 50 mg/% (50mg/100ml)

Breath alcohol analyzers use the amount of alcohol vapor per unit volume of air (Brace - Breath Alcohol Concentration) as the main units of measurement. 1. Mg/l – milligram of alcohol in a liter of exhaled air 2. μg/100 ml or mcg/ – microgram of alcohol in 100 ml of exhaled air 3. μg/l – microgram of alcohol in a liter of exhaled air.

In order to convert the units of measurement of alcohol content in the blood into units of alcohol content in air vapor, you need to use a special formula (Dubrovsky formula):

C air = C eau * K1 * e (K2 *t) , where

C air (air) – alcohol concentration in the air (mg/l) C eau (water) – alcohol concentration in the liquid (g/l) K1 – constant value 0.04145 K2 – constant value 0.06583 (K2 * t) – power of number e t - temperature in degrees Celsius

This formula can be simplified and calculated using a coefficient equal to 1/2100 by which you need to multiply the alcohol concentration in the liquid to convert it to the alcohol content in the air. Let us fix the temperature of alcohol vapor on a person’s exhalation at 35 degrees Celsius.

For example: An alcohol content of 0.3 g/l (0.3 ppm) in the blood corresponds to a breath alcohol concentration of 0.3 * 1/2100 = 0.00015 g/l (or 0.15 mg/l).

You can find out the ppm value using a simple formula even without a breathalyzer. To do this, it is enough to know the amount of alcohol consumed and its strength.

C = A / (P * r) – b 60 * T, where

C – concentration of alcohol in the blood A – amount of alcohol consumed in grams (the volume of alcohol is multiplied by its density, equal to 0.79384 g/cc) P – your body weight in kilograms r – reduction unit. This value shows the proportion of alcohol that enters the blood. For men it averages 0.68, for women 0.55. b60 – decrease in blood alcohol concentration in one hour. Typically, b60 is in the range of 0.100 – 0.160 g/l. This figure is higher when taking large doses of alcohol. T – time after drinking alcohol in hours.

For example: A man weighing 80 kilograms drank 100 ml of vodka with a strength of 40 degrees two hours ago. Let's find out how much alcohol is in his blood. Can he drive?

We substitute the available values ​​into the formula:

A = 0.40 * 100 ml * 0.7984 g/ml = 31.936 g P = 80 kg r = 0.68 b60 = 0.13 T = 2 hours C = 31.936 / (80 * 0.68) – 0, 13 * 2 = 0.589878 ppm

If there is fumes, what will the breathalyzer show?

A breathalyzer test is one of the grounds for bringing a motorist to justice. The final decision is made by the road inspector, analyzing the appearance, speech and behavior of the citizen. After heavy libations, you won’t be able to avoid a fine, but if you drink one glass of wine in the evening, you can try to “deceive” the device.

To do this, it is recommended to snack on alcohol with fatty foods, which slow down the absorption of alcohol into the blood. If the driver's appearance does not arouse suspicion, the inspector will not check the driver using specialized equipment.

Folk remedies that help remove fumes include coffee beans, fresh mint or parsley leaves, ginger, garlic . A proven pharmaceutical product – “Anti-policeman”. These recipes will not reduce the alcohol content in the exhaled air, but will help convince the inspector of the driver’s sobriety before using the device.

Features of the breathalyzer

A breathalyzer is a special device for measuring and indicating the level of alcohol in a person’s blood (exhaled air is analyzed) . But, like any artificially created device, such a device may have errors during operation, the culprits of which are the following factors:

1. Technical condition.
2. Design features.
3. Competence when working with the device.

Sometimes, when measuring the intoxication of drivers, the result of a breathalyzer corresponds to the reading of intoxication, although the driver did not consume any alcoholic beverages.

But the future of car owners may depend on correctly displayed and defined data. After all, based on the readings of the device, a person can be deprived of his right to drive a vehicle, and for quite a long period of time. Why are the instrument readings sometimes far from the real picture? Let's take a closer look at this curious invention.

Types of device

Breathalyzers are divided into several types. Experts divide these devices into three different groups, based on the intensity of their use. In particular:

1. Personal. Intended for personal use of drivers. These are affordable devices, but their service life is short (if they are used more than 2 times a day, they very quickly break down).
2. Special. These devices are capable of conducting up to 30 daily checks. They are mainly used to work in enterprises with a small number of employees who are required to be completely sober at work.
3. Professional. Devices of this level are able to carry out up to 300 checks per day. Moreover, the error of such devices ranges from 0.01 ppm (‰). They are used in large industries. These are the types of units that traffic police officers are armed with. These devices are also called “alcometers”.

One type of professional breathalyzer

Each breathalyzer must undergo annual calibration within a specified period (it is 3-12 months and depends on the intensity of use). This event is held in special centers.

You should also know that the purpose of a breathalyzer is not to measure the exact concentration of ethanol in a person’s blood. The readings of the device are indirect, since they measure the amount of alcohol vapor in the exhaled air .

Historical information

The ban on driving while drunk has been around for a long time. But during the Soviet Union, when road service employees did not yet have such a device in use, traffic cops were guided by symptomatic signs of intoxication (before detaining drivers and sending them for a more precise examination):

• smell;
• speed of reactions;
• nuances of behavior;
• speech dysfunction;
• gait features;
• redness of the skin.

With the advent of the device, it became easier for patrols to identify drunk people. Over the years, different approaches have been taken to detect drunk driving. Take a look at how the acceptable values ​​of breathalyzer readings have changed:

1. 2003 The standard is set at 0.3‰.
2. 2010 Marked by the principle of “zero ppm”. That is, even with insignificant indicators of the device, the driver was considered drunk and was punished accordingly.
3. year 2013. The law reverted back to 2003 data. That is, the maximum permissible norm has become 0.3‰. This equates to 0.16 g/l of ethanol in the air when exhaled.

Where is a breathalyzer used?

A breathalyzer is a device that determines the degree of intoxication. It's no secret that even a small amount of alcohol can cause lethargy, an increased desire to sleep, and negatively affect alertness. It is obvious that a drunk person in a car poses a danger to himself and the people around him. That is why special attention is paid to this issue, and violations of the rules are severely prosecuted by law.

Most often, a breathalyzer is needed by transport police to determine the sobriety of motorists on the road, but the device is widely used in other areas.

1. Transport organizations check their drivers before setting out on a route.
2. Drivers of school buses and other municipal institutions are subject to similar checks.
3. The device is used when legal disputes arise.
4. Employees of public and private companies involved in working with harmful and dangerous substances, as well as complex mechanisms or working in extreme conditions are subject to periodic inspections.
5. A breathalyzer is also needed to monitor problem children and teenagers.

The areas listed above are far from the only places where the device is used. A breathalyzer can be useful for the most ordinary driver, because there are often cases when the next morning after a holiday it is necessary to drive a car, and at the same time there can be no confidence that there is no alcohol left in the blood without a test.

Types of testers

The breathalyzer works using sensors that measure the level of alcohol-containing substances in the air . When a person drinks alcohol, it is carried through the blood to all parts of the body, including the lungs, and from them the alcohol remains in the air that the driver exhales. Sensors are divided into several types.

1. Semiconductor (characterized by the lowest accuracy), deviations in the accuracy of readings up to 20%.
2. Electrochemical (the most accurate data), error - up to 0.01 ppm or no more than 10% of the final result.
3. Infrared, photometric (they do not lose their functions over time, this is why they compare favorably with the first type), the error of the breathalyzer is up to 10%.

All devices come with or without a mouthpiece. Models without a mouthpiece are called non-contact, since the subject, when exhaling, holds the device at a distance of no more than 2 cm from the mouth and blows into a special hole.

Important! Devices without a mouthpiece are considered less accurate, since in this case part of the exhaled air is scattered, and it is not possible to determine the exact level of ethanol.

A breathalyzer with a mouthpiece is a contact version, where the user places a plastic straw between the lips and blows into it. The air is not dissipated and the results are more accurate. For hygiene purposes, the kit may contain several replaceable plastic straws.

How does a breathalyzer work?

The instructions for the device give an understanding of how to use a breathalyzer of one type or another, but in general the process is quite similar.

1. The device is turned on using a special button.
2. The mouthpiece is connected.
3. The person being tested breathes into the tube until a double beep sounds.
4. The processor calculates the amount of ethanol and displays the result on the screen.

On a note! Depending on the device, the designation of the indicator may be different - in ppm, mg/liter, fractions of percent.

As mentioned above, the operating principle of the breathalyzer is based on determining the amount of ethanol in the air that the test subject exhales. Based on this, it is possible to find out how drunk he was when he drank alcohol, as well as how much alcohol remained in his blood if the drinks were taken on the eve of the trip. When air enters the device, the sensor transmits a signal to a special processor, which carries out specific final calculations. The sensors themselves analyze the air in different ways:

• electrochemical monitors the reaction of reagents to the ethanol contained;
• semiconductors analyze the amount of heat released as a result of a chemical process that begins when alcohol is present in the body;
• infrared detect ethanol vapors.

Calculation of alcohol content without tests

When denoting ppm, the ‰ sign is used; it is equal to 0.1% or 0.001 parts of a solution in a liquid. The pure composition of a substance can be designated as 1000‰ or 100%. 40% alcohol (vodka, cognac) in ppm will look like 400‰. From here, knowing the basic ratio, you can easily calculate how many ppm you drank. Any alcoholic drink reaches its peak after 30-90 minutes. This is due to the fermentation and combustion of ethanol in the liver.

Table of combustion of alcoholic beverages in the body:

For example, the indicator 0.5 ppm, how much alcohol you drink, you can approximately understand by examining the following parameters:

• age, gender and weight of the person;
• quality and volume of alcoholic beverage consumed;
• how much time has passed since the last use.

Let's make an approximate calculation of ppm ourselves. Let's take for example a young man weighing 83 kg who drank 0.5 liters of cognac with a strength of 40 degrees.

1. Let's calculate the alcohol content in a man's body: multiply 500 ml by 0.4 (40% cognac), we get 200 ml. Next, let’s convert to alcohol density in liquid: 200 * 0.79 = 158 g, subtract 10% to get alcohol concentrate. This will be 143 grams.
2. We convert the resulting concentrate into ppm: divide 143 by 57.5 = 2.50 ppm (rounded).
3. See the alcohol combustion table above. As a result, this state of 2.5 ‰ in a man will last up to 16 hours after consumption. Then this number will gradually fall. We know that depending on the strength of alcohol, sobering up can last up to 3 days.

Let’s add here the state of the body (healthy or sick), emotional and mental state, and we should also consider whether any medications were taken.

Valid values

Below is a table with blood alcohol content and the body's possible reaction.

It is worth noting that 3.5 ppm is considered a lethal dose for humans. Depending on the type of device, the designation may be displayed in digital values, the screen color changes (green, yellow, red), and an arrow on the table indicates the result.

Important! Before agreeing to undergo the test, the car enthusiast should know that Russian legislation allows 0.365 ppm, which is equivalent to 0.16 ml/liter. In Europe, the acceptable value is 0.8 ppm.

The effects of alcohol on the body

Alcohol, calculated in ppm in the test subject’s blood, can have different effects on the driver’s body depending on the concentration of ethanol in the blood. So, deviations from the norm of behavior in a drunk may look like this:

If the alcohol concentration is 0.5-0.8 ppm (which is equal to 1 gram of ethanol per 1 liter of blood), then the driver loses concentration

• If the alcohol concentration is 0.5-0.8 ppm (which is equal to 1 gram of ethanol per 1 liter of blood), then the driver loses concentration. In this case, the drinker loses coordination of movements and becomes immune to red light. Also, with such an amount of alcohol in the driver’s blood, the sober assessment of the real distance between objects is reduced.
• If there is 0.8-1.2 ppm of ethanol in the driver’s body, the angle of vision narrows significantly, which completely disables the drinker’s lateral vision. At the same time, the driver radically changes his driving style to a more relaxed and dangerous one under the influence of the resulting feeling of euphoria.
• If the alcohol concentration level is 1.2-2.4, the ability to drive a car is completely lost. All the above factors are tripled.
• An alcohol level of 3-5 ppm is considered lethal for humans.

That is why traffic police officers have every right to stop a car if the driver violates traffic rules and demand that he take a breathalyzer test if there are obvious signs of intoxication, such as:

How to choose the right breathalyzer for personal use?

• Loss of balance when walking or sitting;
• Slurred, impaired speech;
• Hyperemia of the skin in the facial area (redness);
• A pronounced odor of alcohol from the driver;
• Strange behavior not typical of a sober person.

In these cases, the use of a breathalyzer will be completely justified.

Important: the permissible level of alcohol in the blood of a sober driver in accordance with the law is 0.16 ppm. This indicator can be given by medications, kvass or kefir taken before the trip.

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Read more about permissible ppm in Russia.

Why a breathalyzer may give incorrect readings

There is a situation in which a police officer stops a driver and asks him to take an alcohol test. The motorist, fully confident that he is not in danger, because he really did not drink, agrees to the test, and the breathalyzer shows that there is ethanol in the blood. It is important to know that some drinks and foods can cause a similar reaction and give a false result, and in addition, some people have a slightly higher reading for health reasons. To avoid misunderstandings and erroneous punishment, you should know what can cause a reaction from the tester:

• soft drinks (kvass or beer);
• pharmaceutical products containing alcohol;
• candies with alcohol (tests were carried out, and the result showed that four candies leave a trace, which completely disappears only an hour after consumption);
• kefir or yogurt;
• raisins or grapes, which can cause fermentation in the stomach;
• black bread, overripe bananas, oranges, desserts;
• regularly used inhalers;
• a cigarette can add two hundredths to the final result.

Why is calibration performed?

Breathalyzer calibration is a mandatory procedure for models that have multiple uses . Laboratory studies have shown that every test on any type of tester affects the condition of the sensor, reducing its sensitivity. This point is indicated in the description of the device. Another nuance shows that the tester can malfunction and begin to show inaccurate data if saliva is deliberately placed in it or tobacco smoke is exhaled. As a rule, the instructions indicate the service life of the breathalyzer, as well as when it is necessary to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor or completely replace it. Some models have a self-diagnostic function and can indicate the need for calibration.

Models with a semiconductor sensor need to be tested and the sensor replaced after 200-300 checks, provided that professional devices are used 20-30 times a day, and individual devices - 2-3 times a day. If the frequency of use is significantly less, then checking the breathalyzer and calibrating it is needed once a year. Professional models are sent to special metrological services after every 500-1500 uses, depending on the frequency of daily use.

On a note! You can repair a personal breathalyzer yourself; you just need to buy a new sensor.

Common Myths

There are some myths and misconceptions among drivers that sometimes make them want to take risks and go on a trip after drinking alcohol. The most popular of them are collected below. It is worth familiarizing yourself with the list so as not to get into the unpleasant situation of deprivation of rights due to a stupid mistake.

1. There is a myth that the tester will not show beer - this is a misconception; any alcohol-containing drink produces ethanol in the blood.
2. Food in large quantities neutralizes alcohols.
3. Belching also does not improve the alcohol content situation.
4. Chewing gum, sprays, and aerosols that can mask the odor are not able to remove traces of alcoholic beverages.
5. A battery or a copper coin is another stupid myth, and the presence of such objects in the mouth will definitely raise questions from traffic police inspectors.

As a conclusion, it is worth noting that no matter how the driver feels immediately after or the morning after drinking alcohol, you should not neglect your own and other people’s lives, and also spoil your future. There are no situations in which driving out is a necessity and worth the risk. And the question is not even about the possibility of being caught, but in relation to others, because according to statistics, drunk drivers kill many more people than they die themselves.

The most reliable breathalyzers

Breathalyzer Alcogran AG-100 on Yandex Market

Breathalyzer Airline ALK-D-02 on Yandex Market

Breathalyzer Dingo AT-2020 on Yandex Market

Breathalyzer Inspector AT600 on Yandex Market

Breathalyzer AlcoHunter Professional X on Yandex Market

A breathalyzer is a device that measures the amount of alcohol in the blood. It is used in many areas, such as medical institutions, traffic police, and transport organizations.

The alcohol meter shows how much alcohol is in a person’s blood at the moment.

What does the breathalyzer reading depend on? And how much does he have to show for this to be considered the norm?

What can affect the readings?

An error on a breathalyzer may occur under certain circumstances. They need to be remembered, this will help protect yourself in an unfair situation. The readings may be influenced by several factors.

A fever in a person who is being tested for the presence of alcohol in the body can lead to elevated levels. The most accurate readings are those taken at normal temperatures.

If it is high, then the breathalyzer will have an overestimated value.

The indicators will be more accurate no earlier than fifteen minutes after the last drink. Volatile agents - acetone, varnish and paint can also affect the result.

The device should only be used at the temperature recommended by the manufacturer. Body conditions and diseases can affect the designation on the breathalyzer.

A little history

A breathalyzer is a special device designed to determine the percentage of alcohol in the blood of a person being tested.

The first alcohol testing device appeared in the United States during the Prohibition period in the late 30s of the 20th century, more precisely in 1939. Previous generation devices could detect the presence of alcohol in a test subject's body, but could not measure the amount of ppm of ethanol. A more advanced version of the breathalyzer was later released by German specialists under the now well-known Drager brand. It was already a device that looked like a modern breathing tube.

Use of a breathalyzer: what is special?

How does this device measure alcohol in the blood?

Breathalyzers are a type of electronic device.

How do they differ from other similar devices?

The difference between a breathalyzer and other electronics is that in some cases it can affect a person’s fate.

If there is an accident, including a fatal one, the presence of alcohol in the blood may affect the punishment that the driver receives. In a transport organization, if, after an inspection, elevated breathalyzer readings are recorded, the careless driver may be suspended from the trip or from work altogether.

There are the following types of breathalyzers:

• individual;
• special;
• professional.

Such devices can be used no more than twice a day. In this case, the power source is batteries. Batteries are not used in devices of this type.

Special ones can withstand up to thirty blows daily. Ideal for use in small transport organizations.

Professional devices are used in medical institutions; the police use them to examine vehicle drivers. They can withstand three hundred blows a day. There is special equipment for the device.

Such devices are distinguished by their accuracy - the possible error of the breathalyzer will show no more than 0.01 ppm. The device is checked twice a year and is also calibrated. Without verification by metrologists, the device cannot be considered accurate.

How much does a breathalyzer cost?

Today, there are many manufacturers that produce a large number of breathalyzers that meet the different requirements of consumers and their financial capabilities. When choosing a personal breathalyzer, you should first pay attention to the manufacturer. Today, one of the most popular companies producing personal analyzers are “Dingo” and “Alcogran”. These companies have already established themselves as reliable manufacturers of high-quality alcohol vapor analyzers. How much does a breathalyzer cost? Today the price for a good personal breathalyzer of the Dingo brand starts from 2,800 rubles. For this money, a person receives a high-quality semiconductor certified device for self-monitoring. For example, the Dingo A-065 model is the best combination of low cost and quality. If you need the most accurate and fastest device, then you should buy a breathalyzer equipped with an electrochemical sensor, which allows you to carry out tests faster and with the smallest error. Models with an electrochemical sensor have a higher price. For example, the most inexpensive model with an electrochemical sensor of the “Dingo” brand costs from 5,900 rubles, and a model of the “Alcogran” brand costs from 6,600 rubles.

Today, a popular model that confidently occupies a top position in the ranking of breathalyzers is the Dingo S-08 model. Breathalyzer Dingo S-08 is a stylish design, high-quality materials, and new technologies, thanks to which Dingo S-08 stands out among similar models. The price for this model starts from 5,900 rubles. Alcogran brand models are also among the most popular on the market. All of them are equipped with an electrochemical touch sensor. A budget option for a breathalyzer is the AG-100 model - reliable, durable and in no way inferior in test quality to other analyzers, including professional ones. The cost of Alcogran AG-100 starts from 5,900 rubles, but there are also more expensive models of this brand, their prices reach 10 thousand rubles. For example, the Alcogran AG-325 model is an ultra-precise, sensitive device for measuring alcohol vapor in exhaled air. An important difference of this model is also the presence of a signal LED, which lights up if the sensor needs to be calibrated at a service center. This option will allow you to avoid carrying out incorrect tests if the device sensor has been in use for a long time without testing. The cost of a breathalyzer depends not only on the manufacturer and the type of touch sensor in the device, but also on the options that the device is equipped with. This, for example, includes a backlit display, the ability to carry out blowing without a mouthpiece, the life of the sensor between calibrations, a test counter, and the presence of memory.

There are also more expensive breathalyzers, for example, from manufacturers Drager or ACS. Devices of these brands are already classified as medical and professional and are mainly used by traffic police officers, doctors, as well as in pre-trip and pre-shift examinations of employees. If you decide to purchase a breathalyzer for yourself, then it will be enough to purchase a personal breathalyzer.

Today, a personal breathalyzer is not just a modern entertainment gadget; first of all, it is designed to ensure your safety and prevent you from unpleasant consequences and troubles. You shouldn't skimp on your safety. Now you know how much a breathalyzer costs, and the most accurate information on characteristics and prices can always be obtained by visiting the personal breathalyzers or professional breathalyzers section on the MED-STORE.RU website. Or get advice from our manager by phone listed in the “Contacts” section.

Go to the section Breathalyzers and breathalyzers

Prices for the breathalyzer models indicated in this article are current as of June 02, 2021.

How to evaluate instrument readings

Cases of using the breathalyzer for dishonest purposes cannot be ruled out. After this testimony, it will be difficult for a sober driver to prove that he did not drink alcohol. It is not necessary to be able to interpret all the readings of the device in detail, but it is advisable to have an idea of ​​what their interpretation is.

Alcohol levels are calculated based on the total amount of air inhaled. Data are calculated in ppm.

The table will help you figure out what a person’s condition looks like in percentage terms in accordance with the alcohol content in the body:

• up to 2 – euphoria. The person has an elevated mood, slight euphoria, increased ability to work, and increased self-confidence. The drinker is adequate and responds well to external irritating factors;
• 2-3 – the person is lethargic. He wants to lie down, he feels sleepy, there is disorientation in space, nausea and vomiting may appear;
• 2.5-4 – stuporous state. Complete disorientation, possible loss of consciousness;
• 4-5 – comatose state – a person loses consciousness for a long time, loss of reflexes;
• if the dose exceeds 5 ppm , a person may die.

Therefore you need to be vigilant! After all, previously the alcohol limit was higher, up to 0.5 was acceptable. Now 0.2 is considered mild intoxication. If a person drank a glass of beer or did not drink at all, and the alcohol level measured by a breathalyzer showed 4.0 ppm, you need to insist on a more serious check in a medical institution.