Blood alcohol content - wikipedia Blood alcohol content Blood alcohol content Medical diagnostics Ethanol LOINC 5639 - 0, 5640 - 8, 15120 - 9, 56478 - 1 ( edit on Wikidata ) Blood alcohol content ( BAC ), also called blood alcohol concentration, blood ethanol concentration, or blood alcohol level, is most commonly used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes. Blood alcohol concentration is usually expressed as a percentage of ethanol in the blood in units of mass of alcohol per volume of blood or mass of alcohol per mass of blood, depending on the country. For instance, in North America a BAC of 0.1 ( 0.1 % or one tenth of one percent ) means that there are 0.10 g of alcohol for every 100 mL of blood. Contents 1 Effects by blood alcohol content 2 Estimated blood alcohol content by intake 3 Binge drinking 4 Units of measurement 5 Legal limits 5.1 Limits by country ( BrAC : breath alcohol content ) 5.2 Other limitation schemes 6 Test assumptions 7 Metabolism and excretion 7.1 Full stomachs 7.2 Carbonated beverages 7.3 Stress 7.4 Retrograde extrapolation 8 Highest recorded blood alcohol level / content 9 References 9.1 Notes 9.2 Bibliography 10 External links Effects by blood alcohol content See also : Short - term effects of alcohol Progressive effects of alcohol BAC ( % by vol. ) Behavior Impairment 0.001 -- 0.029 Average individual appears normal Subtle effects that can be detected with special tests 0.030 -- 0.059 Mild euphoria Relaxation Joyousness Talkativeness Decreased inhibition Concentration 0.060 -- 0.099 Blunted feelings Reduced sensitivity to pain Euphoria Disinhibition Extraversion Reasoning Depth perception Peripheral vision Glare recovery 0.100 -- 0.199 Over-expression Boisterousness Possibility of nausea and vomiting Reflexes Reaction time Gross motor control Staggering Slurred speech Temporary erectile dysfunction 0.200 -- 0.299 Nausea Vomiting Emotional swings Anger or sadness Partial loss of understanding Impaired sensations Decreased libido Possibility of stupor Severe motor impairment Loss of consciousness Memory blackout 0.300 -- 0.399 Stupor Central nervous system depression Loss of understanding Lapses in and out of consciousness Low possibility of death Bladder function Breathing Dysequilibrium Heart rate 0.400 -- 0.500 Severe central nervous system depression Coma Possibility of death Breathing Heart rate Positional alcohol nystagmus > 0.50 High possibility of death Estimated blood alcohol content by intake Further information : Alcohol equivalence To calculate estimated peak blood alcohol concentration ( EBAC ), a variation, including drinking period in hours, of the Widmark formula was used. The formula is : E B A C = ( 0.806 × S D × 1.2 B W × W t − M R × D P ) × 10 ( displaystyle EBAC = left ( ( \frac ( 0.806 \times SD \times 1.2 ) ( BW \times Wt ) ) - MR \times DP \right ) \times 10 ) where : 0.806 is a constant for body water in the blood ( mean 80.6 % ), SD is the number of standard drinks, that being 10 grams of ethanol each, 1.2 is a factor to convert the amount in grams to Swedish standards set by The Swedish National Institute of Public Health, BW is a body water constant ( 0.58 for males and 0.49 for females ), Wt is body weight ( kilogram ), MR is the metabolism constant ( 0.015 for males and 0.017 for females ) and DP is the drinking period in hours. 10 converts the result to permillage of alcohol Regarding metabolism ( MR ) in the formula ; Females demonstrated a higher average rate of elimination ( mean, 0.017 ; range, 0.014 -- 0.021 g / 210 L ) than males ( mean, 0.015 ; range, 0.013 -- 0.017 g / 210 L ). Female subjects on average had a higher percentage of body fat ( mean, 26.0 ; range, 16.7 -- 36.8 % ) than males ( mean, 18.0 ; range, 10.2 -- 25.3 % ). Additionally, men are, on average, heavier than women but it is not strictly accurate to say that the water content of a person alone is responsible for the dissolution of alcohol within the body, because alcohol does dissolve in fatty tissue as well. When it does, a certain amount of alcohol is temporarily taken out of the blood and briefly stored in the fat. For this reason, most calculations of alcohol to body mass simply use the weight of the individual, and not specifically his / her water content. Finally, it is speculated that the bubbles in sparkling wine may speed up alcohol intoxication by helping the alcohol to reach the bloodstream faster. Examples : 80 kg male drinking 3 standard drinks in two hours : E B A C = ( 0.806 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 1.2 ) / ( 0.58 ⋅ 80 ) − ( 0.015 ⋅ 2 ) = 0.032534483 ≈ 0.033 g / d L ( displaystyle EBAC = ( 0.806 cdot 3 cdot 1.2 ) / ( 0.58 cdot 80 ) - ( 0.015 cdot 2 ) = 0.032534483 approx 0.033 g / dL ) 70 kg woman drinking 2.5 standard drinks in two hours : E B A C = ( 0.806 ⋅ 2.5 ⋅ 1.2 ) / ( 0.49 ⋅ 70 ) − ( 0.017 ⋅ 2 ) = 0.036495627 ≈ 0.036 g / d L ( displaystyle EBAC = ( 0.806 cdot 2.5 cdot 1.2 ) / ( 0.49 cdot 70 ) - ( 0.017 cdot 2 ) = 0.036495627 approx 0.036 g / dL ) Standard drink chart ( U.S. ) Alcohol Amount ( ml ) Amount ( fl oz ) Serving size Alcohol ( % by vol. ) Alcohol 80 proof liquor 44 1.5 One shot 40 0.6 US fl oz ( 18 ml ) Table wine 148 5 One glass 12 0.6 US fl oz ( 18 ml ) Beer 355 12 One can / bottle 5 0.6 US fl oz ( 18 ml ) Note : This chart defines a drink as 14g of ethanol, while the formula defines a drink as 10g of ethanol. Standard Drink Sizes ( Australia ) 375ml can of light beer ( 2.7 % alcohol ) = 0.8 standard drinks 375ml can of mid-strength beer ( 3.5 % alcohol ) = 1 standard drink 375ml can of full strength beer ( 4.8 % alcohol ) = 1.4 standard drinks 100ml glass of wine ( 13.5 % alcohol ) = 1 standard drink 150ml glass of wine ( 13.5 % alcohol ) = 1.5 standard drinks 30ml shot of spirits ( 40 % alcohol ) = 0.95 standard drinks 440ml can of pre-mix spirits ( approx. 5 % alcohol ) = 1.7 standard drinks 440ml can pre-mix spirits ( approx. 7 % alcohol ) = 2.4 standard drinks Approximate blood alcohol percentage ( by vol. ) One drink has 0.5 US fl oz ( 15 ml ) alcohol by volume Drinks Sex Body weight 40 kg 90 lb 45 kg 100 lb 55 kg 120 lb 64 kg 140 lb 73 kg 160 lb 82 kg 180 lb 91 kg 200 lb 100 kg 220 lb 109 kg 240 lb Male -- 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Female 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 Male -- 0.08 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03 Female 0.10 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 Male -- 0.11 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.05 Female 0.15 0.14 0.11 0.10 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06 Male -- 0.15 0.12 0.11 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.06 Female 0.20 0.18 0.15 0.13 0.11 0.10 0.09 0.08 0.08 5 Male -- 0.19 0.16 0.13 0.12 0.11 0.09 0.09 0.08 Female 0.25 0.23 0.19 0.16 0.14 0.13 0.11 0.10 0.09 6 Male -- 0.23 0.19 0.16 0.14 0.13 0.11 0.10 0.09 Female 0.30 0.27 0.23 0.19 0.17 0.15 0.14 0.12 0.11 7 Male -- 0.26 0.22 0.19 0.16 0.15 0.13 0.12 0.11 Female 0.35 0.32 0.27 0.23 0.20 0.18 0.16 0.14 0.13 8 Male -- 0.30 0.25 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.15 0.14 0.13 Female 0.40 0.36 0.30 0.26 0.23 0.20 0.18 0.17 0.15 9 Male -- 0.34 0.28 0.24 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.15 0.14 Female 0.45 0.41 0.34 0.29 0.26 0.23 0.20 0.19 0.17 10 Male -- 0.38 0.31 0.27 0.23 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.16 Female 0.51 0.45 0.38 0.32 0.28 0.25 0.23 0.21 0.19 Subtract approximately 0.01 every 40 minutes after drinking. Binge drinking See also : Binge drinking The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism ( NIAAA ) define the term `` binge drinking '' as a pattern of drinking that brings a person 's blood alcohol concentration ( BAC ) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks, and when women consume 4 or more drinks, in about 2 hours. Units of measurement There are several different units in use around the world for defining blood alcohol concentration. Each is defined as either a mass of alcohol per volume of blood or a mass of alcohol per mass of blood ( never a volume per volume ). 1 milliliter of blood has a mass of approximately 1.06 grams. Because of this, units by volume are similar but not identical to units by mass. In the U.S. the concentration unit 1 % w / v ( percent mass / volume, equivalent to 10 g / l or 1 g per 100 ml ) is in use. This is not to be confused with the amount of alcohol measured on the breath, as with a breathalyzer. The amount of alcohol measured on the breath is generally accepted as proportional to the amount of alcohol present in the blood at a rate of 1 : 2100. Therefore, a breathalyzer measurement of 0.10 mg / L of breath alcohol converts to 0.0001 × 2100 g / 10dL, or 0.021 g / dL of blood alcohol ( the units of the BAC in the United States ). While a variety of units ( or sometimes lack thereof ) is used throughout the world, many countries use the g / L unit, which does not create confusion as percentages do. Usual units are highlighted in the table below. Reference Unit Equivalent to Used in BAC by volume 1 percent ( % ) 1 / 100 g / mL = 1 g / dL 9.43 mg / g, 217.4 mmol / L United States, Australia, Canada 1 permille ( ‰ ) 1 / 1000 g / mL = 1 g / L 0.943 mg / g, 21.7 mmol / L Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey 1 basis point ( ‱ ) 1 / 10,000 g / mL = 10 mg / 100 mL 94.3 ppm, 2.17 mmol / L United Kingdom BAC by mass 1 percent ( % ) 1 / 100 g / g = 1 cg / g 1.06 cg / mL, 230 mmol / L 1 permille ( ‰ ) 1 / 1000 g / g = 1 mg / g 1.06 mg / mL, 23 mmol / L Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Russian Federation 1 part per million ( ppm ) 1 / 1,000,000 g / g = 1 μg / g 1.06 μg / mL, 23 μmol / L Legal limits Further information : Drunk driving law by country Map of Europe showing countries ' blood alcohol limits as defined in g / dl for the general population. For purposes of law enforcement, blood alcohol content is used to define intoxication and provides a rough measure of impairment. Although the degree of impairment may vary among individuals with the same blood alcohol content, it can be measured objectively and is therefore legally useful and difficult to contest in court. Most countries disallow operation of motor vehicles and heavy machinery above prescribed levels of blood alcohol content. Operation of boats and aircraft is also regulated. The alcohol level at which a person is considered legally impaired varies by country. The list below gives limits by country. These are typically blood alcohol content limits for the operation of a vehicle. Zero effective tolerance It is illegal to have any measurable alcohol in the blood while driving in these countries. Most jurisdictions have a tolerance slightly higher than zero to account for false positives and naturally occurring alcohol in the body. Some of the following jurisdictions have a general prohibition of alcohol. Australia -- Learner drivers or those drivers with a Provisional / Probationary Licence Bangladesh Brazil Brunei Canada -- new drivers undergoing graduated licensing in Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador ; drivers under the age of 22 in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec and in Alberta receive a 30 - day suspension and 7 - day vehicle seizure. Colombia -- Zero Alcohol Tolerance law is effective since December 2013 Czech Republic Estonia Fiji Hungary Israel -- 24 μg per 100 ml ( 0.024 % ) of breath ( penalties only apply above 26 μg per 100 ml ( 0.026 % ) of breath due to lawsuits about sensitivity of devices used ). New drivers, drivers under 24 years of age and commercial drivers 5 μg per 100 ml of breath. ( 0,005 % ) Italy -- for drivers in their first two years after gaining a driving license Japan -- drivers under the age of 20 because of not reaching legal drinking age. New Zealand -- drivers under the age of 20 and convicted drivers required to gain a zero - limit license. Nepal Oman Qatar Pakistan Paraguay Romania ( beyond 0.08 % drivers will not only receive a fine and have their license suspended, the offense will also be added to their criminal records. ) Russian Federation ( 0 % introduced in 2010, but discontinued in September 2013 ) Saudi Arabia Slovakia Uruguay United Arab Emirates 0.02 % China Netherlands ( for drivers in their first five years after gaining a driving license ) Norway ( road vehicles and sea vessels over 15 m ), alternatively 0.1 mg / L of breath. Poland Puerto Rico Sweden Ukraine United States -- drivers under the age of 21 may have up to 0.02 %, on the federal level, however most states have Zero Tolerance laws emplaced. 0.03 % Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina ( 0.031 % ) Chile India ( note : In the state of Kerala, a policy of zero tolerance has developed. ) Serbia Japan Russia ( since September 2013 ) 0.04 % Lithuania ( 0.00 % for car drivers in their first two years after gaining a driving license, motorcycle and truck drivers ) 0.05 % Argentina ( 0.02 % for motorbikes, 0.00 % for truck, taxi, and bus drivers, 0.00 % in the provinces of Cordoba and Salta ) Australia ( 0.00 % for Australian Capital Territory learner, provisional and convicted DUI drivers ( changed down from 0.02 % on December 1, 2010 ), 0.02 % for truck / bus / taxi, 0.00 % for learner drivers, provisional / probationary drivers ( regardless of age ), truck and bus drivers, driving instructors and DUI drivers in all other states ) Austria -- no limit for pedestrians ; 0.08 % for cycling ; 0.05 % generally for cars < 7, 5 t ( driving licence B) and motorbikes ( A ) ; but 0, 01 % during learning ( for driver and teacher or L17 - assistant ), during probation period ( at least the first 2 years ) or up to the age of 20 ( A1, AM, L17, F ), trucks ( C > 7, 5 t ), bus ( D ), drivers of taxi and public transport Belgium ( also for cyclists ) Bulgaria Canada : Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick -- provincial offence. Drivers have not committed a criminal offense, however a 3 - day licence suspension and 3 - day vehicle seizure occurs. Costa Rica Croatia -- professional drivers, driving instructors and drivers of the vehicle categories C1, C1 + E, C, C + E, D, D + E and H ; the limit for other drivers is 0.50 mg / g, but they do get an additional separate fine if they cause an accident while having a blood alcohol level between 0 and 0, 50 mg / g Denmark Finland France ( 0.025 % for bus drivers ) Germany ( 0.0 % for learner drivers, all drivers 18 -- 21 and newly licensed drivers of any age for first two years of licence ; also, if the BAC exceeds 0.03 %, driving is illegal if the driver is showing changes in behavior ( `` Relative Fahruntüchtigkeit '' ) ) Greece Hong Kong Iceland Ireland ( 0.02 % for learner drivers and professional drivers ) Israel 24 μg per 100 ml ( 0.024 % ) of breath ( penalties only apply above 26 μg per 100 ml ( 0.026 % ) of breath due to lawsuits about sensitivity of devices used ). This is equivalent to a BAC of 0.05. New drivers, drivers under 24 years of age and commercial drivers 5 μg per 100 ml of breath. This is equivalent to a BAC of 0.01. Italy ( 0.00 % for drivers in their first two years after gaining a driving license ) Latvia ( 0.02 % for drivers in their first two years after gaining a driving license ) Luxembourg Macedonia ( 0.00 % for drivers in their first two years after gaining a driving license ) Netherlands ( 0.02 % for drivers in their first five years after gaining a driving license ) New Zealand Peru Philippines ( 0.00 % for taxicab and public transport drivers ) Portugal ( 0.02 % for drivers holding a driver 's licence for less than three years, professional drivers, and drivers of taxis, heavy vehicles, emergency vehicles, public transport of children and carrying dangerous goods ). Scotland Slovenia ( 0.00 % for drivers in their first two years after gaining a drivers licence, drivers under 21 and professional drivers, such as buses, trucks... ) South Africa Spain ( 0.03 % for drivers in their first two years after gaining a driving license and common carriers, such as buses, trucks... ) Switzerland ( 0.01 % for drivers in their first three years after gaining a drivers licence and for driving instructors ) Thailand Taiwan ( breath alcohol limit decreased from 0.25 to 0.15 from 13 June 2013 ) Turkey 0.06 % The Bahamas 0.07 % Honduras 0.08 % Canada Quebec ( provincial law ) England and Wales ( 0.02 % for operators of fixed - wing aircraft ). Malaysia ( 0.00 for Probationary Driving Licence holders ) Malta Mexico New Zealand Criminal offence Norway ( legal limit for sea vessels under 15 m ) Northern Ireland ( The government of Northern Ireland intends to reduce the general limit to 0.05 %. ) Puerto Rico ( for drivers 21 years and older ) Singapore Trinidad and Tobago United States -- all states impose penalties for driving with a BAC of 0.08 % or greater. Even below those levels drivers can have civil liability and other criminal guilt ( e.g., in Arizona driving impairment to any degree caused by alcohol consumption can be a civil or criminal offense in addition to other offenses at higher blood alcohol content levels ). Drivers under 21 ( the most common U.S. legal drinking age ) are held to stricter standards under zero tolerance laws adopted in varying forms in all states : commonly 0.01 % to 0.05 %. See Alcohol laws of the United States by state. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration : 0.04 % for drivers of a commercial vehicle requiring a commercial driver 's license and 0.01 % for operators of common carriers, such as buses. 0.1 % Cayman Islands Limits by country ( BrAC : breath alcohol content ) In certain countries, alcohol limits are determined by the breath alcohol content ( BrAC ), not to be confused with blood alcohol content ( BAC ). In Greece, the BrAC limit is 250 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of breath. The limit in blood is 0.50 g / l. The BrAC limit for drivers in their first two years after gaining a driving license and common carriers are more restricted to 100 microgrammes per litre of breath. BrAC 250 -- 400 = € 200 fine. BrAC 400 -- 600 = € 700 fine, plus suspension of driving license for 90 days ( introduced in 2007 ) BrAC > 600 = 2 months imprisonment, plus suspension of driving license for 180 days, plus € 1,200 fine In Hong Kong, the BrAC limit is 220 microgrammes per litre of breath ( as well as other defined limits ) In The Netherlands and Finland, the BrAC limit is 220 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of breath ( μg / l, colloquially known as `` Ugl '' ). In New Zealand, the BrAC limit is 250 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of breath for those aged 20 years or over, and zero ( meaning illegal to have any measurable breath alcohol content ) for those aged under 20 years. In Singapore, the BrAC limit is 350 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of breath. In Spain the BrAC limit is 250 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of breath and 150 microgrammes per litre of breath for drivers in their first two years after gaining a driving license and common carriers. In England and Wales the BrAC limit is 350 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of breath ( as well as the above defined blood alcohol content ). In Scotland the BrAC limit is 220 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of breath ( as well as the above defined blood alcohol content ). In Trinidad and Tobago the BrAC limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath ( as well as the above defined blood alcohol content ). Other limitation schemes For South Korea, the penalties for different blood alcohol content levels include 0.01 -- 0.049 = No penalty 0.05 -- 0.09 = 100 days license suspension > 0.10 = Cancellation of car license. Test assumptions This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( July 2007 ) Blood alcohol tests assume the individual being tested is average in various ways. For example, on average the ratio of blood alcohol content to breath alcohol content ( the partition ratio ) is 2100 to 1. In other words, there are 2100 parts of alcohol in the blood for every part in the breath. However, the actual ratio in any given individual can vary from 1300 : 1 to 3100 : 1, or even more widely. This ratio varies not only from person to person, but within one person from moment to moment. Thus a person with a true blood alcohol level of. 08 % but a partition ratio of 1700 : 1 at the time of testing would have a. 10 reading on a Breathalyzer calibrated for the average 2100 : 1 ratio. Metabolism and excretion This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( May 2007 ) Alcohol is absorbed throughout the gastrointestinal tract, but more slowly in the stomach than in the small or large intestine. For this reason, alcohol consumed with food is absorbed more slowly, because it spends a longer time in the stomach. Furthermore, alcohol dehydrogenase is present in the stomach lining. After absorption, the alcohol passes to the liver through the hepatic portal vein, where it undergoes a first pass of metabolism before entering the general bloodstream. Alcohol is removed from the bloodstream by a combination of metabolism, excretion, and evaporation. Alcohol is metabolized mainly by the group of six enzymes collectively called alcohol dehydrogenase. These convert the ethanol into acetaldehyde ( an intermediate more toxic than ethanol ). The enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase then converts the acetaldehyde into non-toxic acetic acid. Many physiologically active materials are removed from the bloodstream ( whether by metabolism or excretion ) at a rate proportional to the current concentration, so that they exhibit exponential decay with a characteristic halflife ( see pharmacokinetics ). This is not true for alcohol, however. Typical doses of alcohol actually saturate the enzymes ' capacity, so that alcohol is removed from the bloodstream at an approximately constant rate. This rate varies considerably between individuals. Another sex based difference is in the elimination of alcohol. People under 25, women or with liver disease may process alcohol more slowly. False High ( BAC ) readings are related to patients with proteinuria and hematuria, due to kidney - liver metabolism and failure ( for example, Hematuria 1 + protenuria 1 + ) Such persons have impaired acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which causes acetaldehyde levels to peak higher, producing more severe hangovers and other effects such as flushing and tachycardia. Conversely, members of certain ethnicities that traditionally did not use alcoholic beverages have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenases and thus `` sober up '' very slowly, but reach lower aldehyde concentrations and have milder hangovers. Rate of detoxification of alcohol can also be slowed by certain drugs which interfere with the action of alcohol dehydrogenases, notably aspirin, furfural ( which may be found in fusel alcohol ), fumes of certain solvents, many heavy metals, and some pyrazole compounds. Also suspected of having this effect are cimetidine ( Tagamet ), ranitidine ( Zantac ), and acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) ( paracetamol ). Currently, the only known substance that can increase the rate of metabolism of alcohol is fructose. The effect can vary significantly from person to person, but a 100 g dose of fructose has been shown to increase alcohol metabolism by an average of 80 %. Fructose also increases false positives of high BAC ratio readings in anyone with proteinuria and hematuria, due to kidney - liver metabolism. Full stomachs Alcohol absorption can be slowed by ingesting alcohol on a full stomach. The belief that the food absorbs the alcohol is a common misconception. Alcohol absorption is slowed because the stomach sphincter closes in order to break down the food. The alcohol can not be absorbed through the stomach, thus can not be absorbed until the sphincter is opened and the consumed alcohol can flow to the small intestine. Carbonated beverages See also : Carbonated water § Metabolism and excretion Alcohol in carbonated beverages is absorbed faster than alcohol in non-carbonated drinks. Stress Being under stress causes alcohol to metabolize faster. Retrograde extrapolation Retrograde extrapolation is the mathematical process by which someone 's blood alcohol concentration at the time of driving is estimated by projecting backwards from a later chemical test. This involves estimating the absorption and elimination of alcohol in the interim between driving and testing. The rate of elimination in the average person is commonly estimated at. 015 to. 020 grams per deciliter per hour ( g / dl / h ), although again this can vary from person to person and in a given person from one moment to another. Metabolism can be affected by numerous factors, including such things as body temperature, the type of alcoholic beverage consumed, and the amount and type of food consumed. In an increasing number of states, laws have been enacted to facilitate this speculative task : the blood alcohol content at the time of driving is legally presumed to be the same as when later tested. There are usually time limits put on this presumption, commonly two or three hours, and the defendant is permitted to offer evidence to rebut this presumption. Forward extrapolation can also be attempted. If the amount of alcohol consumed is known, along with such variables as the weight and sex of the subject and period and rate of consumption, the blood alcohol level can be estimated by extrapolating forward. Although subject to the same infirmities as retrograde extrapolation -- guessing based upon averages and unknown variables -- this can be relevant in estimating BAC when driving and / or corroborating or contradicting the results of a later chemical test. Highest recorded blood alcohol level / content There have been reported cases of blood alcohol content higher than 1 % : On 26 October 2012 a man from Gmina Olszewo - Borki, Poland, who died in a car accident, recorded a blood alcohol content of 2.23 % ; however, the blood sample was collected from a wound and thus possibly contaminated. In South Africa, a man driving a Mercedes - Benz Vito light van containing 15 sheep, allegedly stolen from nearby farms, was arrested on December 22, 2010, near Queenstown in Eastern Cape. His blood had an alcohol content of 1.6 %. Also in the vehicle were five boys and a woman who were also arrested. In 1982, a 24 - year - old woman was admitted to the UCLA emergency room with a serum alcohol content of 1.51 %, corresponding to a BAC of 1.33 %. She was alert and oriented to person and place. Serum alcohol concentration is not equal to nor calculated in the same way as blood alcohol content. In 1984 a 30 - year - old man survived a blood alcohol concentration of 1.5 % after vigorous medical intervention that included dialysis and intravenous therapy with fructose. In 1995, a man from Wrocław, Poland, caused a car accident near his hometown. He had a blood alcohol content of 1.48 % ; he was tested five times but all results were the same. He died a few days later of injuries from the accident. In 2013, on July 26 a 40 - year - old man from Alfredówka, Poland, was found by Municipal Police Patrol from Nowa Dęba lying in the ditch along the road in Tarnowska Wola. At the hospital there was recorded that the man had a blood alcohol content of 1.374 %. The man survived. In 2004, an unidentified Taiwanese woman died of alcohol intoxication after immersion for twelve hours in a bathtub filled with 40 % ethanol. Her blood alcohol content was 1.35 %. It was believed that she had immersed herself as a response to the SARS epidemic. References Notes Jump up ^ A hybridizing of effects as described at Alcohol 's Effects Archived May 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. from Virginia Tech and Federal Aviation Regulation ( CFR ) 91.17 : Alcohol and Flying ( hosted on FlightPhysical.com ) ^ Jump up to : Andersson, Agneta ; Wiréhn, Ann - Britt ; Ölvander, Christina ; Ekman, Diana ; Bendtsen, Preben ( 2009 ). `` Alcohol use among university students in Sweden measured by an electronic screening instrument ''. BMC Public Health. 9 : 229. doi : 10.1186 / 1471 - 2458 - 9 - 229. PMC 2724514. PMID 19594906. Jump up ^ Cowan Jr, JM ; Weathermon, A ; McCutcheon, JR ; Oliver, RD ( 1996 ). `` Determination of volume of distribution for ethanol in male and female subjects ''. Journal of analytical toxicology. 20 ( 5 ) : 287 -- 90. doi : 10.1093 / jat / 20.5. 287. PMID 8872236. Jump up ^ Based on the CDC standard of 0.6 fl oz alcohol per drink. CDC alcohol FAQ Jump up ^ BAC Charts Archived June 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. from Virginia Tech Jump up ^ `` Quick Stats : Binge Drinking. '' The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 2008. ( 1 ). Jump up ^ `` The Various Alcohol and Drug Related Prohibitions and Suspensions -- Prohibitions and Suspensions -- RoadSafetyBC ''. Jump up ^ `` Newsroom : Keeping Drivers Safe ''. news.ontario.ca. Jump up ^ `` Tolérance zéro pour les conducteurs de moins de 21 ans ''. La Presse. Jump up ^ `` Tolerancia cero : ni una cerveza si va a conducir ''. eltiempo.com. Jump up ^ http://wsp.presidencia.gov.co/Normativa/Leyes/Documents/2013/LEY%201696%20DEL%2019%20DE%20DICIEMBRE%20DE%202013.pdf ^ Jump up to : `` Alcohol and Driving ''. Ministry of Transport. Retrieved 2 July 2012. Jump up ^ `` Medvedev signs total drink driving ban ''. RIAN. 2010 - 07 - 23. ^ Jump up to : `` Russian drivers to be allowed to have slight alcohol content in blood ''. Itar - tass. 2013 - 07 - 26. Jump up ^ `` Alcohol cero rige a partir de 2016 ''. ^ Jump up to : `` Alcohol ''. Jump up ^ / d : LOV - 1965 - 06 - 18 - 4 : d / Lov om vegtrafikk ( vegtrafikkloven ) Jump up ^ according to Section 185 of Motor Vehicles Act 1988. On first offence, the punishment is imprisonment of 6 months and / or fine of 2000 Indian Rupees ( INR ). If the second offence is committed within three years, the punishment is 2 years and / or fine of 3000 Indian Rupees ( INR ). The clause of 30 mg / dL was added by an amendment in 1994. It came into effect beginning 14 November 1994. Jump up ^ http://www.npa.go.jp/policies/application/license_renewal/pdf/english.pdf The breath alcohol concentration limit for driving in Japan is 0.15 mg / l, which, assuming a breath alcohol to blood alcohol ratio of 1 : 2,100, is roughly equivalent to a BAC of 0.0315 %. The penalties become even more severe at 0.25 mg / l, which is roughly equivalent to a BAC of 0.0525 %. Jump up ^ https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/4/Seite.042000.html Alkohol am Steuer, HELP.gv.at, of 19. January 2013, retr. 22. April 2013 Jump up ^ http://www.verkehrspsychologie.at/gesetzliche_grundlagen_fuehrerscheinentzug.htm Gesetzliche Grundlagen für den Führerscheinentzug ( Alkohol ), verkehrspsychologie.at, AAP -- Angewandte Psychologie und Forschung GmbH, Wien, retr. 22. April 2013 Jump up ^ Driving law ( hr ) Jump up ^ Between 0.05 % and 0.08 %, drivers can be fined € 135 and have six points removed from their licence. Above 0.08 %, the punishment is more severe with possible imprisonment of up to two years, heavy fines and licence suspension. `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2008 - 12 - 01. Retrieved 2008 - 06 - 23. ( in French ) Jump up ^ ( 2 ) Jump up ^ `` BAC and BrAC Limits -- International Alliance for Responsible Drinking ''. International Alliance for Responsible Drinking. Jump up ^ `` Quoi de neuf en 2014 ? ''. Archived from the original on 2014 - 01 - 16. Jump up ^ `` Driving Under the Influence Unit ''. Jump up ^ Drinking and Driving : SAAQ Jump up ^ `` The drink drive limit ''. Jump up ^ / d : LOV - 1998 - 06 - 26 - 47 : d / Lov om fritids - og småbåter Jump up ^ DOE -- Biggest shake up in drink driving laws for forty years -- Attwood ^ Jump up to : Driving In Singapore -- Home Archived February 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. http://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/Blood_Alcohol_Concentration_Limits_Adult_Operators_of_Noncommercial_Motor_Vehicles.html. Accessed on February 01, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Commercial Driver 's License Program ''. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Jump up ^ `` 18 U.S.C. § 343 : US Code -- Section 343 : Presumptions ''. Findlaw. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy '' ( PDF ). Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 2009 - 10 - 07. Retrieved 2009 - 11 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Alcohol and drug limits ''. Driving Tests Resources. Jump up ^ Alobaidi TA, Hill DW, Payne JP ( 1976 ). `` Significance of variations in blood : breath partition coefficient of alcohol ''. Br Med J. 2 : 1479 -- 81. doi : 10.1136 / bmj. 2.6050. 1479. PMC 1689868. PMID 793681. Jump up ^ Alan J. Buglass, ed. ( 2011 ). Handbook of alcoholic beverages : technical, analytical and nutritional aspects. Chichester : Wiley. ISBN 978 - 0 - 470 - 97665 - 4. Retrieved 6 July 2013. Jump up ^ Thomasson, Holly R. ( 2002 ). `` Gender Differences in Alcohol Metabolism ''. Recent Developments in Alcoholism. 12. pp. 163 -- 72. doi : 10.1007 / 0 - 306 - 47138 - 8_9. ISBN 0 - 306 - 44921 - 8. Jump up ^ Fructose & ethanol Carpenter, Thorne M. ; Lee, Robert C ( 1937 ). `` THE EFFECT OF FRUCTOSE ON THE METABOLISM OF ETHYL ALCOHOL IN MAN ''. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 60 ( 3 ). Retrieved 23 June 2016. Tygstrup, Niels ; Winkler, Kjeld ; Lundquist, Frank ( 1 May 1965 ). `` The Mechanism of the Fructose Effect on the Ethanol Metabolism of the Human Liver * ''. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 44 ( 5 ) : 817 -- 830. doi : 10.1172 / JCI105194. PMC 292558. PMID 14276139. Patel, AR ; Paton, AM ; Rowan, T ; Lawson, DH ; Linton, AL ( August 1969 ). `` Clinical studies on the effect of laevulose on the rate of metabolism of ethyl alcohol ''. Scottish medical journal. 14 ( 8 ) : 268 -- 71. PMID 5812044. Lowenstein, LM ; Simone, R ; Boulter, P ; Nathan, P ( 14 September 1970 ). `` Effect of fructose on alcohol concentrations in the blood in man ''. JAMA. 213 ( 11 ) : 1899 -- 901. doi : 10.1001 / jama. 1970.03170370083021. PMID 4318655. Pawan, GL ( September 1972 ). `` Metabolism of alcohol ( ethanol ) in man ''. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 31 ( 2 ) : 83 -- 9. doi : 10.1079 / pns19720020. PMID 4563296. Thieden, HI ; Grunnet, N ; Damgaard, SE ; Sestoft, L ( October 1972 ). `` Effect of fructose and glyceraldehyde on ethanol metabolism in human liver and in rat liver ''. European Journal of Biochemistry / FEBS. 30 ( 2 ) : 250 -- 61. doi : 10.1111 / j. 1432 - 1033.1972. tb02093. x. PMID 4145889. Soterakis, J ; Iber, FL ( March 1975 ). `` Increased rate of alcohol removal from blood with oral fructose and sucrose ''. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 28 ( 3 ) : 254 -- 7. PMID 1119423. Rawat, AK ( February 1977 ). `` Effects of fructose and other substances on ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism in man ''. Research communications in chemical pathology and pharmacology. 16 ( 2 ) : 281 -- 90. PMID 847286. Iber, FL ( September 1977 ). `` The effect of fructose on alcohol metabolism ''. Archives of Internal Medicine. 137 ( 9 ) : 1121. doi : 10.1001 / archinte. 137.9. 1121. PMID 901079. Bode, JC ; Bode, C ; Thiele, D ( 1 February 1979 ). `` Alcohol metabolism in man : effect of intravenous fructose infusion on blood ethanol elimination rate following stimulation by phenobarbital treatment or chronic alcohol consumption ''. Klinische Wochenschrift. 57 ( 3 ) : 125 -- 30. doi : 10.1007 / bf01476052. PMID 439778. Sprandel, U ; Tröger, HD ; Liebhardt, EW ; Zöllner, N ( 1980 ). `` Acceleration of ethanol elimination with fructose in man ''. Nutrition and metabolism. 24 ( 5 ) : 324 -- 30. doi : 10.1159 / 000176278. PMID 7443107. Meyer, BH ; Müller, FO ; Hundt, HK ( 6 November 1982 ). `` The effect of fructose on blood alcohol levels in man ''. South African medical journal ( Suid - Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde ). 62 ( 20 ) : 719 -- 21. PMID 6753183. Crownover, BP ; La Dine, J ; Bradford, B ; Glassman, E ; Forman, D ; Schneider, H ; Thurman, RG ( March 1986 ). `` Activation of ethanol metabolism in humans by fructose : importance of experimental design ''. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 236 ( 3 ) : 574 -- 9. PMID 3950864. Mascord, D ; Smith, J ; Starmer, GA ; Whitfield, JB ( 1991 ). `` The effect of fructose on alcohol metabolism and on the ( lactate ) / ( pyruvate ) ratio in man ''. Alcohol and Alcoholism. 26 ( 1 ) : 53 -- 9. PMID 1854373. Onyesom, I ; Anosike, EO ( June 2004 ). `` Oral fructose - induced changes in blood ethanol oxidokinetic data among healthy Nigerians ''. The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health. 35 ( 2 ) : 476 -- 80. PMID 15691159. Uzuegbu, UE ; Onyesom, I ( June 2009 ). `` Fructose - induced increase in ethanol metabolism and the risk of Syndrome X in man ''. Comptes Rendus Biologies. 332 ( 6 ) : 534 -- 8. doi : 10.1016 / j. crvi. 2009.01. 007. PMID 19520316. ^ Jump up to : `` Absorption Rate Factors ''. BHS.UMN.edu. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. When food is ingested, the pyloric valve at the bottom of the stomach will close in order to hold food in the stomach for digestion and thus keep the alcohol from reaching the small intestine. The larger the meal and closer in time to drinking, the lower the peak of alcohol concentration ; some studies indicate up to a 20 % reduction in peak blood alcohol level. Stress causes the stomach to empty directly into the small intestine, where alcohol is absorbed even faster. Liquor mixed with soda or other bubbly drinks speeds up the passage of alcohol from the stomach to the small intestine, which increases the speed of absorption. Jump up ^ `` 8 Big Boozy Myths About Drinking ''. EverydayHealth.com. Retrieved 2017 - 10 - 21. Jump up ^ Roberts, C. ; Robinson, S.P. ( 2007 ). `` Alcohol concentration and carbonation of drinks : The effect on blood alcohol levels ''. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 14 ( 7 ) : 398 -- 405. doi : 10.1016 / j. jflm. 2006.12. 010. PMID 17720590. Jump up ^ Holt S ( 1 February 1981 ). `` Observations on the relation between alcohol absorption and the rate of gastric emptying ''. Can Med Assoc J. 124 : 267 -- 77, 297. PMC 1705129. PMID 7459787. Jump up ^ LEIKOLA A. `` Influence of stress on alcohol intoxication in rats ''. QJ Stud Alcohol. 23 : 369 -- 75. PMID 13929435. Jump up ^ Montgomery, Mark R. ; Reasor, Mark J. ( 1992 ). `` Retrograde extrapolation of blood alcohol data : An applied approach ''. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. 36 ( 4 ) : 281 -- 92. doi : 10.1080 / 15287399209531639. PMID 1507264. ^ Jump up to : Łuba, Marcin ( 24 October 2012 ). `` Śmiertelny rekord : Kierowca z powiatu ostrołęckiego miał 22 promile alkoholu ! Zginął w wypadku ''. eOstroleka.pl ( in Polish ). Retrieved 2017 - 11 - 04. Jump up ^ Drunkest driver in SA arrested Sowetan Jump up ^ Johnson, R ( 1982 ). `` Survival After a Serum Ethanol Concentration of 11 / 2 % ''. The Lancet. 320 ( 8312 ) : 1394. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 82 ) 91285 - 5. Jump up ^ Labianca, Dominick A. ( 2002 ). `` Conversion of Serum - Alcohol Concentrations to Corresponding Blood - Alcohol Concentrations ''. Journal of Chemical Education. 79 ( 7 ) : 803. Bibcode : 2002JChEd... 79... 803L. doi : 10.1021 / ed079p803. Jump up ^ O'Neill, Shane ; Tipton, KF ; Prichard, JS ; Quinlan, A ( 1984 ). `` Survival After High Blood Alcohol Levels : Association with First - Order Elimination Kinetics ''. Archives of Internal Medicine. 144 ( 3 ) : 641 -- 2. doi : 10.1001 / archinte. 1984.00350150255052. PMID 6703836. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2013 - 08 - 11. Retrieved 2013 - 08 - 08. Jump up ^ `` Informacje ''. Jump up ^ Wu, Yen - Liang ; Guo, How - Ran ; Lin, Hung - Jung ( 2005 ). `` Fatal alcohol immersion during the SARS epidemic in Taiwan ''. Forensic Science International. 149 ( 2 -- 3 ) : 287. doi : 10.1016 / j. forsciint. 2004.06. 014. PMID 15749375. Bibliography Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Science and Technology Department. The Handy Science Answer Book. Pittsburgh : The Carnegie Library, 1997. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7876 - 1013 - 5. Perham, Nick ; Moore, Simon C. ; Shepherd, Jonathan ; Cusens, Bryany ( 2007 ). `` Identifying drunkenness in the night - time economy ''. Addiction. 102 ( 3 ) : 377 -- 80. doi : 10.1111 / j. 1360 - 0443.2006. 01699. x. PMID 17298644. Taylor, L., and S. Oberman. Drunk Driving Defense, 6th edition. New York : Aspen Law and Business, 2006. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7355 - 5429 - 0. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blood alcohol content statistics. Blood Alcohol Concentration BAC Limits Alcohol and health Specific interactions Note : see Template : Psychoactive substance use for diagnoses Aging Alcohol - induced mood disorders Brain Cancer breast cancer Sleep Tolerance Weight Substance abuse prevention Sobriety Alcohol - free zone Alcohol detoxification Alcohol rehabilitation Alcoholics Anonymous Sober companion Alcohol limitation 0 - 0 - 1 - 3 Ban on caffeinated alcoholic beverages Alcohol education Alcohol server training Recommended maximum intake of alcoholic beverages Addiction medicine Alcoholism Anti-addictive psychedelics : Ibogaine, Salvia divinorum Disulfiram - like drugs : disulfiram, calcium carbimide, cyanamide Religion and alcohol Christian views on alcohol alcohol in the Bible Islam and alcohol Dionysian Mysteries Social issues Alcohol advertising on college campuses Alcohol - free beverage definition controversy Alcohol self - medication Native Americans Binge drinking 0.08 BAC Blackout ( alcohol - related amnesia ) College student alcoholism Domestic violence Drinking games / pregaming Driving under the influence Drunkorexia Dry January Adult Children of Alcoholics Family systems French paradox High - functioning alcoholic ( HFA ) moonshine contamination Rum - running black market Sex Sin tax / Pigovian tax General Alcohol ( drug ) Short - term effects of alcohol consumption Long - term effects of alcohol consumption Metabolism portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blood_alcohol_content&oldid=838346468 '' Categories : Alcohol law Driving under the influence Metabolism Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links CS1 Polish - language sources ( pl ) Articles needing additional references from July 2007 All articles needing additional references Articles needing additional references from May 2007 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from September 2009 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Dansk Deutsch Eesti Español Français 한국어 മലയാളം Nederlands Norsk Polski Română Русский کوردی 中文 7 more Edit links This page was last edited on 26 April 2018, at 12 : 51. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: blood alcohol concentration means the parts of alcohol in the blood in relation to what
Answer: mass of alcohol per volume of blood or mass of alcohol per mass of blood; volume of blood; ethanol