Blood alcohol content

The blood alcohol content is the rate of alcohol present in the Sang. It is generally measured in grams per liter of Sang, in milligrams by 100 ml of blood or in millimoles per liter of blood.

Correspondence of the values: one gram of ethanol per liter of blood is equivalent to 22 millimoles per liter of blood or to a half-milligram of ethanol per liter of expired air.

Approximate calculation of blood alcohol content

Calculation

That is to say

T

approximate blood alcohol content and

K

the coefficient of diffusion (=0,7 for the man and 0,6 for the woman)

The density of ethanol being approximately 0,8, one obtains then:

$T= \dfrac{volume*pourcentage\;alcool*0.8}{K*Masse\;of \; the individual}$

Introduced volume corresponds to the volume of alcohol consumed by the individual in ml. The mass of the individual is in kg.

Example

That is to say an individual having consumed 2 beers 25cl to 5%

Metabolic factors

Absorption

Following its ingestion, alcohol is absorbed according to a speed which depends on various factors, such as:

presence of food in the stomach (retarding effect);
alcohol concentration of consumed drink (magnifying effect);
speed of consumption (magnifying effect).

Approximately 20% of alcohol are absorbed on the level of the stomach and the 80% remainders are it on the level of the small intestine. The absorption of alcohol is done by a physical process based on the difference in concentration on both sides of the digestive membrane.

Distribution

Alcohol does not remain not confined in blood circulation and is distributed in the whole of fabrics of the organization; alcohol being absorbent, its concentration in a fabric depends on its water content.

Once absorbed, alcohol is found in blood circulation on the level of the system of the portal vein. From there, it follows blood circulation: portal vein, liver, right heart, lungs, left heart then other fabrics.

With equal alcohol consumption in the same period of time, a man will have a blood alcohol level less low than the woman. This is explained by the fact why, generally, its masses body and muscular are larger than those of the woman. Thus, alcohol finds more space or of volume of distribution in the body of the man (and thus remains less confined at the blood level).

Elimination

As soon as one starts to absorb alcohol, the organization starts to eliminate it. At the time of the phase of consumption, the alcohol contribution is larger than what the body can eliminate. Consequently, blood alcohol content increases. Once all absorptive alcohol, the contribution becomes null and elimination exerts its action. Blood alcohol content starts to go down again. Alcohol is mainly eliminated by metabolic way on the level from the liver by an enzymatic system called " alcohol déshydrogénase". This way, person in charge of elimination of more than 90% of alcohol present in the organization, is in addition quickly saturated, so that the speed of elimination remains constant; one cannot increase it (or decrease it) by any another means. The rate of elimination of alcohol is on average of 15 milligrams by 100 millilitres per hour (15 Mg/100 ml/hour). From one person to another, the rate can vary between 10 and 25 Mg/100 ml /heure. The abusive alcohol consumption tends to make increase the rate of elimination.

Effects of alcohol according to blood alcohol content

Alcohol acts mainly on the central Nervous system, and causes as soon as blood alcohol content exceeds the 0,5 g/l (50 mg/100 ml) of blood the following effects on the majority of the subjects:

contracting of the field of vision;
increase in the sensitivity to the dazzling;
deterioration of the appreciation of the space and in particular of the distances;
reduction in the reflexes and increase in the reaction times to unforeseen situations. The intermediate duration of the reaction time in normal conditions is evaluated with a second approximately. As of 0,5 g/l, this reaction time reaches 1,5 second. The more blood alcohol content is raised, the more the reaction time is lengthened;
over-estimate of its capacities; the generally euphoriant effect of alcohol inhibits certain reflexes and can induce perilous behaviors;
severe intoxication beyond 3 g/l, with risk of high ethyl coma like risks of hypothermia and hypoglycemia.
starting from 3.8 g/l, the subject risks death. Beyond 5 g/l, death becomes strongly probable.

These effects, when they are present at a driver of vehicle, can make control more dangerous:

if an obstacle occurs, the bad appreciation of the distances, combined with a delay in the reaction time due to the deteriorated reflexes, are likely to cause a too late braking;
the euphoriant effect can lead to takings risk ill-considered, like rolling to a excessive Speed, being aggressive towards the other users, to forget to put the safety belt or the helmet…

Statutory rate

In the countries respecting the Universal declaration of the human rights, prohibitions can have as a motivation only the shared interest. In fact, it is not the consumption of alcohol in oneself which is repressible, but the effects harmful which it involves. In general, that applies to three situations:

minor: alcohol having a harmful effect on the Development of the child, it is in general interdict to serve as alcohol to the minors in the bars;
Disorder with the law and order: the public Intoxication and proclamation (or intoxication on the public highway) are in general repressed;
control under the influence of alcohol, being able to cause accidents.

The first two points are in general subjected to a control of the facts or behavior; there is thus no limit in terms of blood alcohol content itself. The last point having consequences being able to be mortal, the legislations in general define a legal limit beyond which control is prohibited.

The Highway code thus defines a limiting concentration beyond which a motorist is not authorized any more to use his Véhicule.

In France, the statutory rate is of 0,5 G alcohol per liter of blood (or 0,25 Mg per liter of expired air), which corresponds roughly to two glasses of Vin or two standard glasses of any other alcohol (beer, whiskey…).

With the Canada, the statutory rate is of 80 milligrams alcohol for 100 millilitres from blood or 0,08% (m/v), which corresponds to 0,8 G of alcohol per liter of blood.

For the Sweden, the statutory rate is of 0,2 G per liter of blood, and with the the United Kingdom it is of 0,8 g/L of blood.

In certain countries like the Czech Republic, the statutory rate is quite simply of 0 G per liter of blood. However, it appeared that certain people, without consuming alcohol, have a very light blood alcohol content naturally, which results in calling in question the statutory rate of 0 G per liter of blood in the countries having adopted such a rate.

Methods of control of blood alcohol content

behavioral control: this one is not practiced in France; it is of the interest to detect disorders of behavior which can be due to other poisons (Médicament S, Cannabis); it in general consists of tests of balance (to hold a certain time on a leg, to go along a line sur a certain distance), and tests of appreciation of the distances (to touch the nose eyes closed while leaving tended arms)
éthylotest, or Breathalyser test: analyzes semi-quantitative air expired by indicator (Oxydation of alcohol by the Dichromate of potassium);
electronic ethylometer: alveolar air analyzes expired by a detector Semi-conducteur (its Résistivité varies according to the quantity of alcohol adsorbed on the surface) or by a cell which compares the changes heights of waves sent by a transmitter IR.
analyzes plasmatic rate after catch of Sang.

These the last two methods of control bring a proof of blood alcohol content, which can give following the adapted sanctions, whereas the éthylotest is used to detect blood alcohol content positive, which will be followed by a precise measurement by blood test or ethylometer.

Sanctions

France

Sorrows incurred in France for a person leading with a certain blood alcohol content.

For a blood alcohol content ranging between 0,5 and 0,8 G per liter of blood: a fine of 135 euros and the loss of three points.
For a higher blood alcohol content or equalizes to 0,8 G per liter of blood: two years of imprisonment, a fine being able to reach 30.000 Euro S, confiscation of the Vehicle, the suspension of the Driving license and the loss of six points.

In the event of very serious infringement (repetition, homicide), the incurred sorrow is, in addition to the penal sanctions, the cancellation of the driving license for one duration being able to reach ten years.

the 2005, a motorist of the Ain 37 years, decree whereas its blood alcohol content, following the absorption of the three quarters of a bottle of Whiskey, reached 9,76 G per liter of blood, was condemned to eight month of prison including seven with deferment.

See too

Internal bonds

Alcoholism

External bond

Ethylomètre in line
Site of the road safety
Éthylotest, a graticiel allowing to calculate blood alcohol content according to the sex, of the stoutness, the quantity of introduced glasses and past time
Calculation of blood alcohol content, Committee of Yvelines of education for health (Cyes)

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