TOXICOLOGY PART II

Alcohol

The Path Alcohol Follows through the Body

1. Alcohol (ethanol) is ingested through the mouth.

2. Some alcohol passes into the bloodstream through the stomach.

3. Most alcohol passes into the bloodstream through the small intestine.

4. The heart pumps blood containing alcohol to the brain and other organs.

5. Alcohol travels to the liver where it is metabolized

Broken downhttp://www.alcohol.org.nz/alcohol-you/your-body-alcohol/body-effects

Metabolism of Alcohol by the Liver

The liver is an organ of the digestive system. It plays an important role in detoxifying the blood.

10% of ingested alcohol remains unchanged and leaves the body via breath, sweat and urine.

90% of all alcohol ingested is broken down in the liver.

CO2 + H2OCarbon Dioxide Water

OH (hydroxyl) is the group that is common to all alcohols

Metabolism of Alcohol

The body starts to detoxify alcohol upon ingestion

The average rate of removal is about 0.015 percent per hour

If the same number of drinks is consumed over a longer period of time then the BAC would be lower

1 drink2 drinks3 drinks4 drinks

Marked Impairment

Rapid Consumption of Alcohol

One drink" is a 1 1/4-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor (even if it's mixed with non-alcoholic drinks), a 4-ounce glass of wine, or 10 ounces of 5.7% beer.

Factors that Affect Blood Alcohol Levels

Weight Gender Amount of food in stomach Amount of alcohol consumed Period of time over which alcohol is ingested

Calculating Blood Alcohol Levels

BAC – Blood Alcohol Content Varies in gender due to differing amounts of water

weight

BAC Calculation Example

A 220lb. Man drinks 2 shots (1.5 oz. each) of 90 proof whiskey. Calculate his BAC.

What is proof?

0.04%

BAC Levels and Impairment

0.10

0.09

0.08

0.07

0.06

0.05

0.04

0.03

0.02

0.01

Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant

Decline in visual function, Decline in ability to perform 2 tasks at the same time

Impaired steering and tracking ability, Reduced Coordination,Reduced ability to respond to emergency driving situations

Inability to concentrate, Loss of short-term memory, Loss of speed control, Impaired perception, Reduced information processing capability.

Reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately

Relative Crash Risk and BAC Level

Based on this data.. There is a direct relationship between BAC and crash risk Crash risk greatly increases at 0.05% BAC and above Nationally, there has been interest in lowering the legal limit for

individuals age 21 and over to 0.05%