Studies Show Use of Hand Sanitizer Distorts Alcohol Breath Test Results

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has come the increased use of hand sanitizer. With more people than ever using the alcohol-based product, it is important to remember that hand sanitizer could likely have an effect on breath alcohol testers such as breathalyzers and ignition interlock devices.

At least two studies have found that use of most common hand sanitizers can distort readings to show the presence of alcohol when, in fact, the test subject had a blood alcohol level of zero.

In some cases, the readings were almost double the legal limit of.08. These false readings also occurred when the participant used gloves after using hand sanitizer.

Healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, and subjects of the test should avoid using hand sanitizer prior to giving a breath alcohol test of any type.

If you utilize an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, do not use hand sanitizer prior to providing a breath sample.

Make sure you know your legal rights before you are suspected of DUI!

Contact the Bryant Law Center today using the contact for below or by calling at (270) 908-0995.

The studies mentioned in this article can be found at the following:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23406081/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27614708/