Georgia DUI Asthma Inhaler Affects Breath Test
An Asthma inhaler affects the breath test during a Georgia DUI arrest as the breathalyzers can be affected by a number of medical and dental conditions. Individuals with asthma who use inhalers are especially susceptible to a false reading. The active ingredient in most inhalers is Albuterol, which contains compounds from the methyl alcohol group. When you use an inhaler, a large amount of alcohol is deposited into the lining of your lungs. In fact, some inhalers may contain up to 30% alcohol. While this alcohol does not enter the bloodstream, it remains in the lining of the lung and is then exhaled into the breathalyzer.
Breathalyzers are designed to measure alcohol that has been consumed and is then diffused into the lungs, so using an inhaler that deposits the alcohol directly into your lungs can drastically increase your blood alcohol content (BAC) reading. The breathalyzer also assumes that your breath-to-blood ratio is 1:2100—that means for every particle of alcohol in your breath, the breathalyzer multiplies it by 2100 to calculate the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. So if you have an increased amount of alcohol in the lining of your lungs, the machine’s reading will be inaccurate.
A study showed that a non-drinking individual’s breath test will not be affected by an inhaler after six minutes. However, if an individual had consumed alcohol, the breath test results were still affected by the inhaler even after 20 minutes.
Before giving a breathalyzer test, the officer must watch the subject for 15 minutes to ensure he or she does not belch, vomit, or ingest anything. If the officer does not allow this observation period, and you use an inhaler before submitting to the test, your results could be thrown out because of improper administration.
If you use an asthma inhaler, fighting a Georgia driving under the influence (DUI) charge is possible. Because an inhaler can push your BAC reading well over the legal limit of .08%, a skilled DUI defense attorney may be able to challenge the results of your breathalyzer test.
Learn how our law firm can help you when an Asthma Inhaler affects your breath test rest in Georgia DUI. Complete our online form today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
