How to Calculate Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
What is Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and how is it calculated?
One standard drink generally contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. Therefore, a breathalyzer test showing a BAC of 0.08% means that there is 0.08 grams of alcohol in every 100 milliliters of blood in the body. How is BAC calculated based on this information?
Answer:
To calculate Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), you can use a formula that takes into account the amount of alcohol consumed, the weight of the individual, and the time over which the drinks were consumed.
When it comes to determining Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), there are a few factors to consider. The formula commonly used to calculate BAC is:
BAC = (A × 5.14 / W × r) - 0.015 × H
Where:
- A = total alcohol consumed, in ounces
- W = body weight, in pounds
- r = a gender constant of alcohol distribution ratio (0.73 for men and 0.66 for women)
- H = number of hours over which alcohol was consumed
By plugging in the values for A, W, r, and H into this formula, you can calculate your estimated Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Keep in mind that this calculation provides an estimate and actual BAC levels can vary based on metabolism, food consumption, and other individual factors.