Breathalyzers
are the most common judges of a suspected impaired driver’s blood alcohol
content (BAC). How they get results is a science unto itself.
According to BACtrack, a breathalyzer manufacturer
based in San Francisco, breathalyzers use one of three systems: semiconductor
oxides, fuel cells, and infrared spectrometry. Fuel cells are widely fielded by
law enforcers on the road due to their high accuracy and portability (even
though the results can be somewhat less reliable). Infrared spectrometry, on
the other hand, is normally used at police stations or labs.
