QUANTITATIVE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ETHANOL CONCENTRATIONS IN BLOOD, BREATH, SALIVA AND URINE DURING ETHANOL METABOLISM IN MAN

Ethanol concentrations in near simultaneous samples of capillary blood, end-expired breath, mixed whole saliva and urine were determined at 30-60 minute intervals after 48 healthy men drank 0.53, 0.70 or 0.88 g/kg ethanol as neat whisky after an overnight fast. The ratios of blood alcohol concentration to the breath, saliva and urine concentrations were calculated at each sampling time point and inherent biological variations assessed during absorption, distribution and elimination phases of ethanol metabolism. The blood/breath alcohol ratios were less than the commonly accepted 2100:1 during alcohol absorption and greater than 2100:1 during alcohol elimination. Moreover, the volume of breath expired, the temperature of breath, the breathing pattern of the test subject and the temperature and humidity of ambient air are important variables and need to be controlled for quantitative results. The urine/blood alcohol ratios varied over a wide range, being less than unity for absorption of alcohol and increasing to exceed a value of 2.0 late into the post-absorptive phase. The saliva/blood alcohol ratios showed no systematic variations according to the phase of ethanol metabolism. The mean ratio for samples taken between 60-360 minutes after drinking was 1.096 (n=166) with 95% confidence limits of 1.087 and 1.105. These results will be discussed and interpreted in relation to the known physiological processes governing alcohol uptake in breath, saliva and urine in-vivo. Practical applications of the findings in experimental alcohol research and in medico-legal investigations of alcohol related traffic violations will be highlighted. (TRRL)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings, Volume II, 8th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, June 15-19, 1980, Stockholm.
• Corporate Authors:

  Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

  Medicinska Fakulteten
  Stockholm,   Sweden 
• Authors:
  • Jones, A W
• Conference:
  • Proceedings, Volume II, 8th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, June 15-19, 1980, Stockholm.
• Publication Date: 1981

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 550-569

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol breath tests; Alcohols; Alternatives analysis; Blood alcohol levels; Chemical analysis; Conferences; Forensic medicine; Forensic science; Legal factors; Males; Measurement; Metabolism; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Saliva; Test procedures; Testing; Urine
• ITRD Terms: 1542: Alcohol test; 1553: Blood alcohol content; 7163: Chemical analysis; 8525: Conference; 1787: Man; 6136: Measurement; 2062: Physiology; 6288: Test method; 2025: Urine
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00361227
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)
• Report/Paper Numbers: REPORT
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 1982 12:00AM