breath alcohol concentration (BAC)

Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) measures the amount of alcohol in a person's breath, reflecting their blood alcohol level. It is commonly used to assess intoxication, typically expressed as a percentage (e.g., 0.08%) or in grams per deciliter. When you consume alcohol, it enters your bloodstream, and some of it is exhaled through the lungs. Devices called breathalyzers analyze your breath to estimate this alcohol level. BAC indicates how intoxicated someone is; higher levels impair judgment, coordination, and reaction times. Laws often set legal limits for driving based on BAC to ensure safety.