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Watch Out For These Common Triggers That Can Cause A False BAC Reading On A Breathalyzer Test

17 March 2017

Alexis Garcia

If you have been charged with DUI but knew that you had not been drinking before you were stopped and given the test, you are probably confused about the results. Because breathalyzer tests react to the presence of methyl groups, the primary ingredient in alcohol, they can register a false positive even when alcohol is not present. That means the test may indicate your blood alcohol content is over the legal limit for driving even when you have not consumed any alcohol. Inform your DUI attorney if you used any of the following things before you took the breathalyzer test, as they can all cause a false reading.

Medications

There are a number of medications that can interfere with a breathalyzer test. Some of the most common medications include:

• Cold Medications: Cold medications often contain alcohol, and even though consuming the medication probably won't cause your BAC to exceed the legal limit, they may trick the breathalyzer test into thinking your level is higher than it is. Because the breathalyzer test doesn't actually measure the amount of alcohol in your blood and relies on residual methyl in your breath to analyze an estimated BAC, residual alcohol (or other methyls) from cold medications may trigger a false positive. Some cough drops can also trigger a false positive reading.
• Asthma Inhalers: If you use an inhaler for asthma or other respiratory issues, you may be surprised to learn it can cause a false reading on a breathalyzer test. (It can even lead to a false positive for certain drug tests!)
• Dental or Mouth Gels: If you suffer from a toothache or have canker or cold sores and apply a gel to ease the pain, it likely contains alcohol or other methyls, which can cause the breathalyzer test to read high.

Breath Fresheners

Many people use breath fresheners to keep their mouth fresh and clean. Here's what to watch out for.

• Mouthwash: Many mouthwashes contain alcohol, which means the residue left behind on your gums and teeth may be enough to trigger a high reading on the breathalyzer test.
• Breath Sprays: The carrying agent in many breath sprays is alcohol, meaning a recent spray from a breath spray may make it seem like your BAC is high, even when it is not.
• Breath Mints: Like mouthwashes and breath sprays, mints can trick the breathalyzer test, too, especially if bits of the mint get lodged in your teeth if you chew them.

Medical Conditions

Surprisingly, some medical conditions can cause problems with a breathalyzer test and cause a false high BAC reading. The most common are:

• Acid Reflux: When acid reflux acts up, gasses from the stomach, like acetone and ethanol, back up in the mouth. These gasses can be mistaken for alcohol by the breathalyzer test.
• GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease): This condition is a more severe form of acid reflux and causes small amounts of food and stomach acids to be regurgitated into the mouth. Like with acid reflux, the gasses can be mistaken for the presence of alcohol.
• Diabetes: Many people with diabetes also experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in reaction to their medications or from failing to eat on time. When this happens, acetone is present in the breath. The acetone in the breath of diabetics can trigger a false high reading on the breathalyzer test.

If any of the above situations seemingly apply to you, talk with an attorney from a firm like Hart Law Offices, PC to help you prove the test results were inaccurate or are likely to have been influenced by conditions other than you consuming alcohol.

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