Prompt Cast
The History and Function of Breathalyzers
TLDR Breathalyzers were first used in the 1940s and have since become a non-invasive way to measure intoxication and prevent drunk driving. They work by converting alcohol content in the breath into a color, which is then compared to the original unreacted color, and the disparity is turned into an electrical pulse that moves the needle on the device, indicating the level of intoxication.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
In this episode, the hosts discuss the dangers of drunk driving and the decrease in alcohol-related traffic deaths over the years.
04:04
Breathalyzers are used to test the alcohol level in a person's breath, which is considered a non-invasive way to measure intoxication and avoid violating privacy rights.
07:38
Breathalyzers were first used in the 1940s to test blood alcohol content by breath, and the trademark breathalyzer was invented in 1954 by Dr. Borkenstein from the Indiana State Police, all based on the principle that alcohol is absorbed into the lungs and can be measured in the breath.
11:40
Breathalyzers work by converting alcohol content in the breath into a color, which is then compared to the original unreacted color, and the disparity is turned into an electrical pulse that moves the needle on the device, with the amount of knob turning required to bring the needle back to zero indicating the level of intoxication.
15:46
Breathalyzers use infrared beams and a filter wheel to interpret wavelengths into an electrical pulse, which is then translated into blood alcohol content.
19:43
Breathalyzers measure blood alcohol content by converting the current generated from the oxidation of alcohol into a high voltage, which is then translated into a BAC reading.
23:35
Breathalyzer readings can be influenced by factors such as hyperventilating or exhaling from the bottom of the lungs, but ultimately, if you're impaired, you shouldn't be driving.
27:16
Breathalyzers can be purchased for a low price and used to determine if you should wait before driving, but it is strongly recommended to not drink and drive and to visit howstuffworks.com for more information on breathalyzers.
31:04
Breathalyzers can be purchased for a low price and used to determine if you should wait before driving, but it is strongly recommended to not drink and drive and to visit howstuffworks.com for more information on breathalyzers.
Categories:
Society & Culture
