Breath Alcohol Research Articles

Revisiting the Alcohol-Aggression Link: The Impact of Alcohol Consumption Patterns

Laboratory studies have repeatedly reported a link between alcohol and aggression, yet many rely on single-dose administration methods and overlook variations in alcohol consumption patterns. The present study investigates the effects of alcohol on aggressive behavior using a double-blind, placebo-controlled cumulative drinking administration approach that mirrors the natural drinking behaviors often observed in pubs within a laboratory setting. This study also pioneers the examination of how alcohol consumption patterns (light or heavy) moderate the relationship between precise Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) levels and extreme aggressive behavior. Seventy-five light (N=38) and heavy (N=37) alcohol drinkers were randomly assigned to alcohol (N=33) or placebo (N=42) conditions. Participants drank four drinks successively. Taylor's aggression paradigm was completed twenty minutes after each drink. Multilevel modeling was applied to analyze the effects of precise BrAC and account for within-person variability. Alcohol showed a dose-dependent effect on aggression; as alcohol levels rose, so did aggression (p<.001). Alcohol consumption pattern moderated the effect of cumulative BrAC on aggression, such that the effect was more substantial for light as compared with individuals who drink heavily (p=.03). The current study highlights the moderating role of alcohol consumption pattern in the association between precise BrAC levels and extreme aggression, offering insights into individual differences in susceptibility to alcohol-induced aggression, and supporting the I3 meta-theory (Finkel, 2014). The Findings underscore the importance of investigating the interplay between acute and chronic alcohol use on behavior, challenging conventional thresholds for hazardous drinking classification. Implications for future studies, legislators, and policymakers are discussed.

Trauma patients in the practice of medical rescue teams in Poland

Quick and effective access to professional medical assistance in emergencies has become a key element of the modern healthcare system. Emergency medical services play a vital role in immediate response to medical emergencies, in particular traumatic injury. According to estimates, emergency medical services delivered to trauma patients account for 10-20% of all services provided by paramedic units in Poland. An analysis of paramedic services delivered to trauma patients will make a significant contribution to the effectiveness and optimization of emergency medical services. The aim of this study was to analyze the emergency medical services delivered by paramedic units to trauma patients in the voivodeship of Warmia and Mazury over a period of three years. The study involved a retrospective analysis of statistical data for the above voivodeship. The patients were classified according to the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) [1]. Most trauma patients were assigned ICD-10 codes S (injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes) and T (injuries involving multiple body regions) categories. Results: The diagnoses made by physicians, paramedics, and emergency nurses in patient care reports were the source of data for the retrospective analysis. A total of 400,251 cases (n= 400,251) were analyzed and 11,329 cases were selected (n=11,329), including 1130 patients (n=1130) who were assigned code S and 10,199 patients (n=10,199) who were assigned to code T. The examined database is administered by the Governor of the Voivodeship of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn [2]. The following types of information were analyzed: area of intervention, the patients’ age and sex, type of medical emergency, location, date, and alcohol breath odor. The collected data were analyzed to determine the presence of relationships between: a life-threatening medical emergency and the patient’s age, a life-threatening medical emergency and the patient’s sex, the patient’s age and the diagnosis made by paramedics, alcohol breath odor and the patient’s sex, and the patient’s sex and the diagnosis made by paramedics. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that the risk of a life-threatening medical emergency is higher in younger patients and decreases gradually in older patients. The above risk is somewhat higher in men than in women. The percentage of patients assigned code S (injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes) increases with age. Alcohol breath odor is more frequently detected in patients residing in areas with a population above 10,000 than in patients residing in small towns and rural areas. The patient’s sex is not significantly correlated with the type of medical emergency, and the prevalence of the diagnosed medical emergencies tends to be similar in both sexes.

High‐Performance Flexible Gas Sensor Using Natural Rubber/MXene Composite for Selective and Stable VOC Detection

AbstractFlexible gas sensors are gaining interest for real‐time volatile gas monitoring. A natural rubber (NR)/MXene nanocomposite sensor is developed. Among the six selected target volatile gases, the composite sensor exhibited a strong response value (82% toward 100 ppm NH3) with the fastest response/recovery time (12.3 s/15.5 s) to NH3. The sensitivity showed a clear dependence of gases, suggesting a good selectivity to varying gases. Ti3C2Tx MXene gas sensors exhibited a very low limit of detection of 50–100 ppb for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at room temperature. In addition, the NR/MXene sensor allows detection of the mixture of ammonia (NH3), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and acetone (C3H6O) and it shows good response depending on the total concentration of VOC gases. Furthermore, the flexible nanocomposite sensor exhibits stable sensing performance at different bending states (0‐120°) and shows 20‐day atmospheric stability. This sensor's ability extends to alcohol breath analysis, useful for drunk driving detection. This work paves the way to the possibility of using robust MXene‐based toward practical realization of electronic devices.

Acute Alcohol Consumption and Arrhythmias in Young Adults: The MunichBREW II Study.

and aims: Acute excessive alcohol intake may cause the holiday heart syndrome, characterized by cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation. Since underlying data are scarce, the study aimed to prospectively investigate the temporal course of occurring cardiac arrhythmias following binge drinking in young adults. A total of 202 volunteers planning acute alcohol consumption with expected peak breath alcohol concentrations (BAC) of ≥1.2 g/kg were enrolled. The study comprised 48-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring covering baseline (hour 0), 'drinking period' (hours 1-5), 'recovery period' (hours 6-19), and two control periods corresponding to 24 hours after the 'drinking' and 'recovery periods', respectively. Acute alcohol intake was monitored by BAC measurements during the 'drinking period'. ECGs were analyzed for mean heart rate, atrial tachycardia, premature atrial complexes (PAC), premature ventricular complexes (PVC), and heart rate variability (HRV) measures. Data revealed an increase in heart rate and an excess of atrial tachycardias with increasing alcohol intake. HRV analysis indicated an autonomic modulation with sympathetic activation during alcohol consumption and the subsequent 'recovery period', followed by parasympathetic predominance thereafter. PACs occurred significantly more frequently in the 'control periods', whereas PVCs were more frequent in the 'drinking period'. Ten participants experienced notable arrhythmic episodes, including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardias, primarily during the 'recovery period'. The study demonstrates the impact of binge drinking on heart rate alterations and increased atrial tachycardias during 'drinking period', and the occurrence of clinically relevant arrythmias during the 'recovery period', emphasizing the holiday heart syndrome as a health concern.

Facile synthesis of silver and copper modified graphitic carbon nitride for volatile organic compounds sensing

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose significant health risks when inhaled or ingested in large quantities. Metal oxide-based solid-state gas sensors are commonly utilized for VOCs detection, including methanol, however their high operating temperature and selectivity are both biggest challenges. In this context, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has emerged as a promising alternative for VOCs sensing due to its superior sensing properties. In this work, Cu and Ag doped g-C3N4 was synthesized via the polycondensation method for VOCs sensing applications. All the samples showed a selective response to methanol at room temperature. Notably, the Ag/g-C3N4 sensor exhibited a significantly enhanced response (~27.5) compared to both undoped g-C3N4 (~3.58) and Cu/g-C3N4 (~9.82) sensors towards 200 ppm methanol. The Ag/C3N4 based sensor showed rapid response (21 s) and recovery (17 s) times, along with excellent short-term and long-term stability. It was found that Ag/C3N4 sensor exhibited a good response to humidity levels ranging from 9 % to 93 % RH, without any significant variation observed when deposited on the ceramic and flexible polyimide substrates. Further, considering its practical applicability, the Ag/C3N4 sensor showed successful detection of alcohol in human breath, highlighting its potential for real-world applications.

Assessing the impact of cannabis use on freeway driving performance and practices: A comparative analysis with placebo and alcohol-influenced driving

Objective The objectives of this study were 1) to identify the effects cannabis has on driving performance and individual motor practices when on the freeway compared to placebo and 2) to bring context to the effects of cannabis on driving by comparing effect sizes to those of alcohol. Methods Data for analysis was collected from a study of fifty-three participants with a history of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis use who completed three visits in randomized order (placebo (0% THC), 6.18% THC, and 10.5% THC). Data for the alcohol analysis was from a subset of eighteen of these participants with a history of recent alcohol use that completed a fourth alcohol visit that targeted a .05 g/210L breath alcohol content (BrAC) during the drive. Comparisons were made using an analysis of variance approach with the SAS General Linear Models Procedure. Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated for the cannabis and alcohol conditions relative to placebo for both the full sample and alcohol subset. Results Standard deviation of lane position (SDLP) for cannabis significantly increased compared to placebo and the effect size was comparable to that of alcohol at .05 BrAC. Lane departures for cannabis significantly increased relative to placebo as did the time out of the lane. Cannabis use resulted in an increased amount of time at 10% or more below the speed limit for the 6.18% THC condition. Relative to alcohol, cannabis produced more time at slower speeds and less time at speeds more than 10% above the speed limit. Conclusions Multiple factors of lateral and longitudinal vehicle control on the freeway showed statistical significance. Drivers under the influence of cannabis exhibited higher rates of driving errors but also showed more cautious behaviors such as generally lower speeds on the freeway. Compared with alcohol, effect sizes varied. For longitudinal control, there were larger effect sizes for alcohol with speed effects in opposite directions, but relatively equivalent effect sizes for lateral control and driving errors associated with lane keeping.

BINGE DRINKING HAS NO EFFECT ON MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND NEUROMUSCULAR RESPONSES DURING MAXIMAL AND HIGH-INTENSITY ISOMETRIC FATIGUE PROTOCOL

We investigated the effects of binge drinking on maximal strength, time to exhaustion during a high-intensity isometric fatigue protocol, and neuromuscular responses of the elbow flexor muscles. Ten young male participants were randomized in two conditions: (1) alcohol consumption (ALC) or (2) placebo consumption (PLA). In each condition, volunteers ingested 1g of alcohol per kg of body mass of alcoholic beer (ALC) or non-alcoholic beer (PLA). Neuromuscular performance (elbow flexors peak torque and time to exhaustion – TTE - during an isometric fatigue protocol at 70% of peak torque) and EMG parameters (amplitude and median frequency) of biceps brachii (BB) and brachioradialis (BRA) were assessed before and after drink ingestion. A breath alcohol concentration of 1.1 ± 0.25 mg/L was observed in ALC condition. Torque was similar between-conditions (p = 0.76) and condition*moment interaction (p = 0.92), with a significant reduction in post in both conditions (p = 0.01; ALC: -4.4%; PLA: -4.7%). TTE and maximal EMG amplitude of BB were not affected by conditions and moments (p &gt; 0.05). Maximal EMG amplitude of BRA was reduced in post in both conditions (ALC: -16.4%; PLA: -14.6%). EMG amplitude of BB and BRA during the fatigue protocol, the behavior was similar between moments and conditions (p &gt; 0.05) and we only observed an increase during protocol (p &lt; 0.05). Median frequency of BB was higher in PLA compared to ALC (+9.8%). Decreases were observed in both muscles during protocol (p &lt; 0.001). Our results revealed that binge drinking did not alter maximal strength, time to exhaustion during high-intensity isometric fatigue protocol, and neuromuscular responses.

Effect of Ethanol on Brain Electrical Tissue Conductivity in Social Drinkers.

How the biophysics of electrical conductivity measures relate to brain activity is poorly understood. The sedative, ethanol, reduces metabolic activity but its impact on brain electrical conductivity is unknown. To investigate whether ethanol reduces brain electrical tissue conductivity. Prospective. Fifty-two healthy volunteers (aged 18-37 years, 22 females, 30 males). 3 T, T1-weighted, multi-shot, turbo-field echo (TFE); 3D balanced fast-field echo (bFFE). Brain gray and white matter tissue conductivity measured with phase-based magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT) compared before and 20 minutes after ethanol consumption (0.7 g/kg body weight). Differential conductivity whole brain maps were generated for three subgroups: those with strong ( > 0.1 S/m; N = 33), weak (0.02 S/m ≤ ≤ 0.1 S/m; N = 9) conductivity decrease, and no significant response ( < 0.02 S/m, N = 10). Maps were compared in the strong response group where breath alcohol rose between scans, vs. those where it fell. Average breath alcohol levels were compared to the differential conductivity maps using linear regression. T-maps were generated (threshold P < 0.05 and P < 0.001; minimum cluster 48 mm3). Differential conductivity maps were compared with ANOVA. Whole-group analysis showed decreased conductivity that did not survive statistical thresholding. Strong responders (N = 33) showed a consistent pattern of significantly decreased conductivity ( > 0.1 S/m) in frontal/occipital and cerebellar white matter. The weak response group (N = 9) showed a similar pattern of conductivity decrease (0.02 S/m ≤ ≤ 0.1 S/m). There was no significant relationship with breath alcohol levels, alcohol use, age, ethnicity, or sex. The strong responders' regional response was different between ascending (N = 12) or descending (N = 20) alcohol during the scan. Ethanol reduces brain tissue conductivity in a participant-dependent and spatially dependent fashion. 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Vitreoretinal surgical performance after acute alcohol consumption and hangover

AimRoutine alcohol testing of practicing physicians remains controversial since there are no uniform guidelines or legal regulations in the medical field. Our aim was to quantitatively study the acute and...

Design and implementation of an alcohol detection driver system

A technology called an alcohol detection driver system is used to stop drunk driving by identifying alcohol in a motorist's breath or blood. This technology correctly measures the amount of alcohol a driver has in their system using sensors and algorithms, and it stops the car from starting if the amount is more than the legal limit. The number of fatal accidents and traffic fatalities caused by drinking could be greatly decreased thanks to this technology. The main focus of this project is to carry out the experiment in lowering the number of alcohol-related incidents on the road. Alcohol detection devices come in a variety of forms right now, including ignition interlocks, passive alcohol sensors, and in-car breathalyzers. Although these systems have reduced the number of drunk driving accidents, there remain questions about their efficiency, dependability, and cost. According to the sensor's specs, the output voltage of the MQ-3 sensor reduces by 69% during the sensor's recovery period of 30 seconds at 69% of baseline resistance. To assess the long-term viability and efficiency of these systems in lowering alcohol-related accidents and enhancing traffic safety, more research is required.

Practical aspects of measuring camera‐based indicators of alcohol intoxication in manual and automated driving

AbstractCamera‐based Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) have the potential to exploit eye tracking correlates of alcohol intoxication to detect drunk driving. This study investigates how glance, blink, saccade, and fixation metrics are affected by alcohol, and whether possible effects remain stable across three different camera setups, as well as when the driver is out‐of‐the‐loop during level 4 automated driving (Wizard‐of‐Oz setup). Thirty‐five participants drove on a test track first sober and then with increasing intoxication levels reaching a breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) of 1‰. Linear Mixed‐Effects Regression analyses showed that with increasing intoxication levels, eye blinks became longer and slower, glances and fixations became fewer and longer, and more attention was directed to the road area, at the expense of more peripheral areas. Fixation and blink metrics were more robust to changes in automation mode, whereas glance‐based metrics were highly context dependent. Not all effects of alcohol intoxication could be measured with all eye tracking setups, where one‐camera systems showed lower data availability and higher noise levels compared to a five‐camera system. This means that lab findings based on higher quality eye tracking data might not be directly applied to production settings because of hardware limitations.

ARDUINO BASED ALCOHOL SENSE ENGINE LOCK USING GPS &amp; GSM

This project introduces an innovative approach to improving road safety by developing an Arduino-based alcohol detection and engine lock system, integrated with GPS and GSM technologies. The main goal is to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol by disabling the vehicle's engine upon alcohol detection. The system employs an MQ-3 alcohol sensor to measure the driver's breath alcohol content. When alcohol is detected, the Arduino microcontroller processes the data from the sensor and activates the engine lock mechanism, thus preventing the vehicle from starting. This functionality is enhanced with GPS technology to provide precise location tracking of the vehicle. In the event of alcohol detection, the system utilizes the GSM module to send alerts to pre-configured contacts, supplying real-time information about the driver's condition and the vehicle's location. By incorporating GPS, the system ensures continuous location monitoring, adding an extra layer of security and enabling swift emergency response. The GSM module allows for immediate communication, dispatching SMS alerts to family members or authorities, thereby increasing the safety of both the driver and the public. This comprehensive solution aims to reduce incidents of drunk driving by leveraging Arduino for sensor interfacing and control, and combining it with GPS and GSM technologies for real-time tracking and communication. The proposed system is cost-effective, easy to implement, and scalable, offering a practical tool for enhancing road safety and saving lives. Key Words: Arduino Alcohol sensor, Engine lock, MQ- 3 sensor, GPS tracking, GSM module etc.

Innovations and applications of ketone body monitoring in diabetes care.

Ketone bodies, comprising β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), acetoacetate (AcAc), and acetone, play a vital role as essential energy substrates. In individuals with diabetes, ketone bodies can be elevated under various conditions, including diabetic ketoacidosis, use of sodium-glucose transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and extreme carbohydrate restriction. There are three methods for measuring ketone bodies. Urine ketone analysis (AcAc) is a standard clinical test, whereas blood ketone testing (BHB+AcAc) is valuable in identifying or resolving diabetic ketoacidosis. Recently, technology for measuring breath acetone has been introduced, which provides an easy means of monitoring ketogenic diets in obese individuals. The basic breath alcohol detector also reacts with breath acetone. Therefore, it is important for professional drivers taking SGLT2 inhibitors to be cautious as workplace breath alcohol detectors may show false-positive results. Conversely, if a positive result is obtained, a detailed examination of ketosis is necessary. This review provides an overview of ketone body measurements in individuals with diabetes.

Introduction and Validation of an Ecological Momentary Assessment Methodology to Measure Alcohol Use Among College Students

Retrospective alcohol use data are prone to recall bias, a limitation that could be addressed with real-time ecological momentary assessment (EMA) tools. We aimed to (1) introduce a simple (single-click) EMA methodology for collecting real-time alcohol use data, and (2) investigate the EMA methodology’s performance relative to established alcohol use data collection tools. In March–April 2021, we sampled undergraduate students ( n = 84) and collected a week of alcohol use data. Participants entered their real-time drinking start times using our EMA methodology, self-reported their drinking details in daily surveys, and a subsample recorded their breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) using smart breathalyzers. We estimated the accuracy of our EMA methodology in collecting alcohol use data relative to data collected by daily surveys and breathalyzers. Overall, 199 drinking events were recorded with the EMA methodology. Numbers of drinks recorded with the EMA methodology were correlated with self-reported daily surveys ( r = .82, p &lt; .001) and BrAC readings ( r = .69, p &lt; .001). Sensitivity and specificity of the EMA methodology in detecting heavy drinking relative to daily surveys were 82% (95% CI [67%, 92%]) and 97% (95% CI [85%, 100%]), respectively. These were 74% (95% CI: [64%, 83%]) and 92% (95% CI: [85%, 96%]) for binge drinking. Similar results were found when we used breathalyzers as the reference standard test. We developed an EMA methodology for collecting real-time alcohol use data (alcohol drinking start-time, frequency, magnitude, patterns, and pace). Our findings support the utility of our EMA methodology in collecting alcohol use data among college students.

Measurement uncertainty of ethyl alcohol concentration in the exhaled breath of drivers and determination of sobriety at the time of incident.

The aim of the study was to determine the components of measurement uncertainty in the concentration of alcohol in exhaled breath and to determine the state of sobriety at the time of incident. Based on the literature review and the authors' experience in providing opinions for law enforcement and the judiciary, the influence of various factors on the final interpretation of sobriety state is described on the basis of measurement uncertainty of breath analyzers, uncertainty of retrospective and prospective calculations, and uncertainty related to the conversion of alcohol concentrations detected during breath and blood tests. The paper pays particular attention to interpreting the concentrations of ethanol in exhaled breath close to the legal limits of the state of sobriety and the state after alcohol use, or the state after alcohol use and the state of insobriety. Analyzing the results of an exhaled breath test concerning concentrations close to the values of 0.1 mg/dm3 and 0.25 mg/dm3, it is necessary to take into account the factors affecting the measurements obtained, including the measurement uncertainty of the determination of alcohol in exhaled breath, the processes of absorption, distribution and metabolism of ethyl alcohol, and the possibility of the presence of alcohol lingering in the oral cavity. The incorrect execution of measurements of the tested person's alcohol concentration is also a problematic issue. When determining sobriety state by means of retrospective and prospective calculations, it is important to remember that the uncertainty of the result is affected by a number of factors and depends, among other things, on the information provided by the suspect. Hence, the expert should draw conclusions particularly cautiously and any overestimation or underestimation of the components of uncertainty can lead to erroneous conclusions. Awareness of the uncertainties inherent in the results of a sobriety test or alcohol calculation allows for meaningful interpretation of test results and determination of the sobriety state of the person tested.

High magnitude of road traffic accident among traumatized patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study

Background: Globally, road traffic accidents cause around 50 million injuries and disabilities and close to 1.35 million deaths every year. In Ethiopia, approximately five thousand deaths are estimated to occur annually due to road traffic accidents. However, there is limited data on the precise burden of the problem in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of road traffic accidents and associated factors among traumatized patients who visited the emergency units of selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 381 trauma patients who visited the emergency department of three public hospitals in Addis Ababa between June 1 and July 12, 2022. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire, entered into Epi-data, and exported to SPSS for statistical analysis. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors contributing to road traffic accidents at a significant level of P &lt; 0.05. Results: The majority of participants were males (73.5%), between 20 and 39 years old (65.1%), and married (45.7%). The prevalence of road traffic accidents among traumatized patients was 37.3% (95% CI: 32.5, 42.3) in public hospitals in Addis Ababa. After adjusting for potential confounders, being male [AOR (95% CI) = 2.77 (1.6, 4.8)], traveling in the afternoon [AOR (95% CI) = 0.6 (0.3, 0.9)], and alcohol-drinking before travel [AOR (95% CI) = 2.50 (1.6, 4.0)] were factors contributing to road traffic accidents. Conclusion: The prevalence of road traffic accidents was very high in Addis Ababa public hospitals. Being male, traveling in the afternoon, and drinking alcohol before travel were significantly associated with an increased risk of road traffic accidents. Community awareness creation, strict traffic flow control in the morning, and alcohol breath tests will ultimately decrease road traffic accidents. In the meantime, expansion and strengthening of pre-hospital care and post-crash trauma care services.

Substance use and type of Road Traffic Injury in Mexico City.

Limited data are available in Mexico on the prevalence of alcohol and drug use and the possible differences in their effects on types of road traffic injury (RTI), such as those involving pedestrians, drivers or passengers of motorcycles or other motor vehicles, and the association between substance use and driving behaviors, for preventive purposes. The sample comprised 433 adult RTI patients, admitted to the emergency department (ED) of a public hospital in Mexico City (January to April 2022). Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was measured using a breath tester, and six types of drugs (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine) were assessed using a saliva screen test. RTI patients also self-reported their alcohol and drug use in the six hours prior to the accident. Approximately 62% of respondents had been involved in a motorcycle crash. One in three patients self-reported or had traces of a substance in their saliva or breath. The most common substance was alcohol (23.6%), followed by cannabis and stimulants (10.9%). One in five patients reported having used a cell phone ten minutes before the injury. One in three had not been using any safety device, the only behavior exacerbated by substance use. We found a high prevalence of substance use in the sample of RTI patients admitted to the ED, regardless of the type of the RTI, together with high cell phone rates. Motorcycle passengers under the influence were particularly likely not to have been wearing a helmet.

Changes in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort study using smart-breathalyzer data

Previous studies relying on alcohol sales, alcohol-related injuries, and surveys have suggested that alcohol consumption increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to leverage over 1 million Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) measurements from Bluetooth-enabled breathalyzers to conduct an objective and longitudinal assessment of alcohol use during the pandemic. Serial BrAC measurements revealed a decrease in drinking between January 1, 2020 and March 30, 2020, an increase between March 30, 2020 and May 25, 2020, a statistically insignificant decrease between May 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021, and an increase again between January 1, 2021 and June 4, 2021. No statistically significant relationships between shelter-in-place orders and alcohol consumption were detected. These findings demonstrate the complex relationship between the pandemic and alcohol consumption patterns, providing insights that may be relevant to the use of this commonly consumed substance with implications relevant to long-term effects from the patterns observed.

The Need for National Standards in Breath Alcohol Testing

The breath alcohol test (BAT) is the most commonly used forensic test to estimate a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in the US. Despite individual states adopting per se laws making driving while having ≥0.08% BAC (or ≥0.08 g/210L breath) illegal, the US lacks national standards for breath alcohol testing. The lack of national standards for the BAT reduces confidence in the results. Many states do not implement basic quality assurance standards, such as obtaining duplicate breath samples. One way to overcome this lack of quality assurance is to tie federal funding from the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) to quality assurance practices for the BAT.

Linking crash and breathalyzer data in Connecticut

Objectives To document the process of linking breathalyzer and motor vehicle crash (MVC) data for the State of Connecticut using a unique identifier in the place of personal and private information. Methods Deterministic linkage methodologies were utilized in Microsoft SQL Server to join 5,634 (of 6,650) breathalyzer records to corresponding MVC driver records for the period of January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2022. Differences between the linked and original datasets were documented by comparing the consistency of frequency and proportion distributions of key variables. Results Proportions of annual records, alcohol breath tests, and refusals were nearly unchanged when comparing linked and original breathalyzer data. When examining variables in the original MVC driver records, there were differences in the within-group proportions for sex and age, with an overrepresentation of males and drivers aged 26-to-40 years old. For crash and injury severity, the linked dataset had lower proportions of more severe injury records when compared to the original MVC data. Additionally, 1,007 breathalyzer records were not matched with an associated MVC record. Conclusions Linkage methodology is sound and produced quality matches. The use of a unique identifier provided a strong match qualifier in the absence of personal and private data. Changes in proportions for age, sex, crash and injury severity align with previous research. Potential missed matches may be attributed to several factors outside of the linkage process, including data discrepancies and varied reporting practices. Future studies will further explore these differences and incorporate additional toxicology data as part of a continued effort to fuze crash, citation, toxicology, and public health data. The end result will be a holistic, comprehensive, and multifaceted database for transportation research and education.