Alcohol exits the body in different ways. The vast majority is metabolized in the body and exits as carbon dioxide and water.  Much smaller amounts of alcohol are eliminated through excretion in the urine, through the skin as perspiration, in saliva or exhaled in the breath.

A portable breathalyzer samples and measures alcohol exhaled in the breath while a SCRAM ankle bracelet samples alcohol excreted through the skin. Alcohol exhaled through the breath is measured as Breath Alcohol Content (commonly BAC or BrAC) while TAC has been coined to mean transdermal alcohol content (through the skin).

A SCRAM alcohol Bracelet

Similarities in TAC and BAC Alcohol Testing

Law Enforcement breathalyzers, the better personal breathalyzers and SCRAM all use precision fuel cell technology to detect and measure alcohol content.

In a fuel cell device the sample is directed into a specially constructed chamber where the alcohol is chemically oxidized and generates electrical current. The higher the alcohol content of the sample, the greater the output current of the fuel cell. By precisely measuring the current produced in the fuel cell, an accurate measure of Breath alcohol content (BAC) is recorded.

As a warning to consumers, fuel cell technology accuracy and reliability is in stark contrast to the inexpensive and inaccurate semiconductor technology used in many cheap personal breathalyzers. Semiconductor technology is unreliable and imprecise and never to be trusted for accurate readings in a breathalyzer.

SCRAM and Spray Tan

The better spray tans do not contain alcohol as this is very drying to the skin and dry skin is counterproductive to a lasting spray tan. The same is true for the cremes and moisturizers used to hydrate the skin after a tan. Inexpensive products might contain alcohol just as inexpensive spray tans.  But we think Lindsay can likely afford the best spray tan and skin products and so if her ankle bracelet was set off it should be easy to correct.

Further, everytime a Scram bracelet goes off, the reading is closely scrutinized by experts. They can determine if the alarm was activated by blood alcohol or from a source of alcohol external to the body such as might be found in perfume, mouthwash or perhaps Spray tan.

So it seems possible that the bracelet could be activated by some of these products, but very unlikely that the court would be fooled about the source of the alcohol.

Is Breath or Skin Testing Better? It all Depends.

The relationship between blood alcohol content and breath alcohol content is well understood. Alcohol excreted in the breath is directly proportional to the alcohol in the blood stream. As blood alcohol concentration rises, peaks and falls during and after consuming alcohol so too does alcohol exhaled in the breath. This is the underlying principle for using breathalyzers to measure levels of intoxication. A quality fuel cell breathalyzer, when properly administered, provides a very accurate measure of alcohol intoxication.

A Police Breathalyzer

There is a similar, but looser, relationship between blood alcohol content and transdermal alcohol content. TAC can also capture the rise, peak and fall of  blood alcohol content but the TAC measurement has been found to be delayed by many minutes, even hours, from the actual alcohol concentration in the blood stream. Individual TAC results are not reliable equivalents to blood alcohol content in the same way that breath measurements are.

Breathalyzer technology is ideal for roadside DUI checks because it provides an accurate and precise indication of blood alcohol content at the moment of the test.  TAC technology, like SCRAM, is well suited to continuous monitoring for the presence of alcohol in the blood stream.

“His thinking was that the deodorant he was wearing had alcohol in it, and he could beat the Breathalyzer,” said Shaffery, the patrol division commander for the township Police Department.

It did not work.

Lifeloc Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer of professional breathalyzers has released the industry’s first independent report on the accuracy and reliability of popular semiconductor (silicone oxide) breath testers sold in mass retail, pharmacy, specialty stores and on the Internet. The report also exposes some pretty questionable marketing practices of consumer breathalyzer distributors and retailers whose advertising claims suggest a high level of BAC measurement accuracy that is not supported by the test results.

The popular breathalyzers tested all use what’s called “semiconductor”  alcohol sensing.  The technology just isn’t up to the task of accurately measuring Breath Alcohol Content (BAC). Unlike law enforcement breathalyzers which use platinum fuel cell sensing technology, the semiconductor testers display extreme variation in readings from test to test.  As a user of these devices you just can’t trust them.

The full report  is of interest to anyone considering the purchase or sale of personal semiconductor breath testers. It is available for free download from www.lifeguardbreathtester.com, or www.lifeloc.com

LifeGuard BAC Graph Close-up

“For example, if you chart your test results every half-hour
after consuming alcohol you can see a side by side comparison
of the numerical test results and a chart of the results,”
explained Sliverman. “The new feature is an additional tool
designed to educate and encourage personal awareness and
responsibility.”

An alcohol-free childhood is said to be the best option

Parents underestimate the influence their own drinking habits have on their children’s attitude to alcohol, government research suggests.

A Department for Children, Families and Schools study suggests children from heavy-drinking households are more likely to use alcohol themselves.

And half of young people who have drunk alcohol were given it by their parents.

It comes as ministers urge parents to help their children make sensible decisions about drinking alcohol.

The department commissioned research to get a clearer idea of the attitudes and use of alcohol among parents and young people.

The study was based on 4,000 interviews with parents, children and young people.

‘Delay drinking’

It also found that eight out of 10 parents had no pre-planned strategies to tackle irresponsible drinking by their children.

One in four of the children interviewed said their parents had never talked to them about alcohol.

While the majority of parents said they were fully aware of their child’s drinking habits, one in 10 said they were unaware if their child had drunk alcohol.

The research is being published as part of a campaign to tackle under-age drinking.

Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said: “Today’s research shows that parents underestimate their influence over their child’s drinking and attitudes to alcohol, yet a quarter of young people have never spoken to their parents about the issue.

“That’s why through the Why Let Drink Decide? campaign we are giving parents and young people the confidence to have open conversations about alcohol, to ultimately delay the age at which young people start drinking.”

Positive alternatives to drinking alcohol, such as playing football, are also being encouraged as part of the campaign.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) March 2, 2010 — Now in 27 states throughout the United States, impaired drivers will be able to have a safe and sober ride home without worrying about electing a designated driver or leaving their car behind thanks to Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. and Safe Ride Solutions (SRS).

Each year more than 1 million people get arrested for DUI

Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. and SRS announced a coordinated driving under the influence (DUI) prevention effort for professionals, corporations and private citizens concerned about the dangers of drinking and driving.

“We can’t stop people from drinking,” says Barry Knott, president and CEO of Lifeloc Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of law enforcement and consumer breathalyzers. “However, we can offer practical and convenient alternatives to impaired driving and the consequences it poses to community safety, careers and family.”

According to Gary Lawrence, CEO of SRS, a nationwide safe ride service, the new effort works on three levels: education, self-monitoring and transportation solutions. “We provide DUI prevention education to individuals, organizations and corporations. Part of that education is to understand and manage one’s breath alcohol content (BAC) through self-monitoring using a breathalyzer,” said Lawrence. “LifeGuard® is the only consumer breathalyzer to use proven law enforcement technology making it the only one we trust. Finally, when someone discovers they are unsafe to drive we arrange for a trained, professional driver to pick them up and take them home in the comfort of their own vehicle.”

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports show that 13,846 people died in 2008 due to an alcohol-related incident. The costs associated with driving under the influence (DUI) are staggering – the emotional cost of injuring someone, the potential loss of job or income, the reality of jail time and an average cost of $10,000 per offense. It’s not worth the risk; Safe Ride Solutions and Lifeloc are offering a proactive alternative.

“Each year, more than 1 million people get arrested for DUI,” said Lorenzo Neal, CIO of SRS and former NFL player. “I want to see companies step up and do something to not only educate, but provide real world DUI prevention resources for their staff. DUI is a dangerous thing that effects people from all walks of life.”

This partnership is powerful because it combines education with self–monitoring and the ultimate convenience of a safe and discreet ride home. “There is great synergy between our two companies,” said Knott. “The LifeGuard® personal breathalyzer provides law enforcement grade BAC measurement accuracy. All SRS’s drivers are active or honorably retired members of public safety. These drivers can be trusted to provide a secure, safe and confidential service to get you and your car home.”

By the end of April, SRS plans to expand to 29 states in 45 metropolitan areas. Both companies share a mission of improving the safety and security of our communities. Interested organizations, corporations and individuals can learn more about the efforts by visiting lifeguardbreathtester.com or saferidesolutions.com.

About Lifeloc Technologies, Inc.:
Lifeloc Technologies, Inc., is a leading global designer and manufacturer of personal and professional portable breath alcohol testers commonly known as “breathalyzers.” More than 35 countries currently utilize Lifeloc’s breath alcohol testing equipment for workplace, law enforcement, education and corrections testing. Lifeloc products are recognized worldwide for their ease-of-use, accuracy and reliability. For more information on Lifeloc, please visit www.lifeloc.com, www.lifeguardbreathtester.com or call 1-800-722-4872.

About Safe Ride Solutions
Safe Ride Solutions (SRS) is the only nationwide safe ride service in the United States. SRS works with corporations and organizations to assist them in reaching a new level of corporate/social responsibility by providing them with a proactive measure to get their people home safe after drinking. Safe Ride Solutions provides clients with a highly effective, dependable and confidential safe ride service that works in the real world. SRS is a convenient and safe alternative to driving after drinking. SRS helps their clients avoid negative attention and keeps them out of harms way. For more information on Safe Ride Solutions, please visit www.saferidesolutions.com or call 208-938-4500.