by 
The Curious Bag
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A Breathalyzer is a small machine used to test blood-alcohol content (BAC). They are used by law enforcement to determine if a person is legally allowed to operate a vehicle.
Function
Breathalyzers estimate a person's BAC by measuring the amount of alcohol in the breath. They are not able to directly measure BAC.
Features
A Breathalyzer consists of a small box, which houses the testing machinery, and a disposable straw that is connected to the machine. The person being tested is required to blow into the straw for one long, continuous breath.
How It Works
The person's breath is collected inside the machine. If there is alcohol vapor present, this sets off a chemical reaction that produces electricity. The amount of alcohol is directly proportional to the amount of electricity produced, and this reading is reported on a small screen.
Errors
Breathalyzers can be very sensitive to external factors. For example, changes in the surrounding air temperature can produce inaccurate readings. The machine can be recalibrated to account for temperature fluctuations.
Consumer Use
Breathalyzers are available to purchase. However, those available to the public are generally not as accurate as those produced for law enforcement.
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