Ethanol disposition in man: comparison of breathalyzer and two methods of gas-liquid chromatography

Blood and plasma ethanol concentrations were determined in 12 healthy male volunteers by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) using direct injection (DI), headspace injection (HSI), and Breathalyzer (BR) analyses. Plasma concentrations as well as the blood:breath partition ratio of ethanol were higher by GLC-DI than by GLC-HSI. Regardless of analytical method used, the concentrations of ethanol in blood and rate of ethanol clearance from blood or plasma were unchanged. The partition ratio upon which the BR data are based appears adequate for individuals with normal pulmonary function.