Top 80 over 80: incidence and characteristics of the 80 highest blood alcohol concentrations obtained in suspected impaired drivers in Ontario

Abstract

This retrospective study characterizes the findings from the 80 highest blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) determined at the Centre of Forensic Sciences (Toronto, ON) in suspected impaired drivers between 1988 and 2007. Blood and serum samples were analyzed for ethanol and other volatiles by headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The mean BAC for drivers (n = 70) was 428 ± 44 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood (mg/100 mL) (range: 382–570 mg/100 mL). The mean serum alcohol concentrations (SAC) for drivers (n = 10) was 532 ± 103 mg/10 mL (range: 445–764 mg/100 mL). Incidental concentrations of acetone (n = 22), isopropanol (n = 3), and methanol (n = 2) were detected in some cases. The occurrences were examined for the time of day, day of week, reason for police involvement, as well as characteristics and observations of the individual either operating or in care or control of the motor vehicle. When available, hospital analyses (n = 10) and breath tests (n = 2) were also examined in comparison to the laboratory blood or serum analysis. The SACs and BACs reported in this study are sufficient to cause death in non-tolerant individuals and indicate that these drivers possessed significant tolerance to the central nervous system depressant effects produced by alcohol.