Quick answer: A professional breathalyzer measures current breath alcohol concentration in g/dL. Under 49 CFR Part 40, 0.02 requires a confirmation test and 0.04 or higher is a violation. American Screening Corp in Shreveport, Louisiana, ships alcohol testing supplies nationwide, same day, to clinics, courts, employers and staffing firms. Every positive screen is preliminary.
- Breath tests show alcohol present now; urine EtG tests show recent drinking over a longer window.
- DOT-regulated testing requires devices on the NHTSA Conforming Products List and a trained operator.
- Ordering from a nationwide wholesale supplier beats driving store to store when you need volume, consistency and paperwork.
Why "breathalyzer near me" is the wrong question for an organization
A retail shelf rarely gives a clinic, court or employer what it needs: consistent models, quantity pricing, documentation and fast restock. A wholesale supplier ships to your door, so distance does not matter. American Screening Corp (ASC) serves buyers nationwide from Shreveport, Louisiana.
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Start with your use case. A treatment center monitoring clients, a probation office, a staffing firm with a fitness-for-duty policy and a DOT-regulated carrier each need something different.
What does a breathalyzer detect, and for how long?
A breathalyzer estimates blood alcohol concentration (BAC) from alcohol in deep-lung breath. It reports in grams of alcohol per deciliter (g/dL). It detects alcohol in the body at the moment of the test, not drinking from earlier days.
The NHTSA states that 0.08 g/dL is the per se limit for drivers 21 and older in most states (NHTSA, Drunk Driving). Employer and program policies often set lower limits, so write your own threshold into policy.
When you need a longer look-back
Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a metabolite of alcohol found in urine. EtG tests commonly use a 500 ng/mL cutoff and can show recent drinking for up to about 80 hours, depending on the amount consumed and the individual. For abstinence monitoring, pair breath testing with drug test cups that include alcohol (EtG) options. Any positive EtG screen is preliminary; confirm by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS laboratory testing.
What do DOT rules require for breath alcohol testing?
For DOT-regulated employers, 49 CFR Part 40 Subpart K sets the process (eCFR, 49 CFR Part 40, Subpart K). Key rules, as of November 2026:
- Screening tests use an evidential breath testing device (EBT) or an alcohol screening device (ASD) listed on the NHTSA Conforming Products List.
- A screening result of 0.02 or higher requires a confirmation test on an EBT.
- The confirmation test happens after a wait of at least 15 minutes, and within 30 minutes where possible.
- A confirmed result of 0.04 or higher is a violation; 0.02 to 0.039 requires removal from safety-sensitive duty for the time the regulation specifies.
- The operator must be a trained breath alcohol technician (BAT) or screening test technician (STT).
The DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance publishes the full regulation and guidance (DOT ODAPC, Part 40). Non-DOT employers are not bound by these rules but often copy them as a defensible standard.
How do you choose the right breath alcohol device?
| Your need | Best fit | What it shows | Key check |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOT-regulated testing | NHTSA-listed EBT or ASD | Current BAC in g/dL | Device on Conforming Products List; trained BAT |
| Workplace fitness-for-duty | Handheld breath tester | Current BAC in g/dL | Written policy and a set threshold |
| Probation or court monitoring | Breath tester plus EtG urine test | Now and recent use | Chain of custody; lab confirmation of positives |
| Treatment center | Breath tester plus EtG cups or dips | Now and up to about 80 hours | Consistent cutoff across sites |
Call for current models and quantity pricing. ASC does not list prices that we cannot stand behind, so contact our team with your volume and use case.
Buyer checklist before you order
- Confirm whether your testing is DOT-regulated or company policy.
- Verify the model's status on the NHTSA Conforming Products List if DOT applies.
- Ask for FDA and CLIA status in writing for any urine alcohol product; confirm it against the product record.
- Set the action threshold (for example 0.02 or 0.04 g/dL) in policy.
- Plan calibration checks and mouthpiece supply per manufacturer instructions.
- Train every operator and document the training.
- Define what happens after a positive screen, including confirmation and review.
- Check the shipping lead time and reorder method.
How do you read and document a result?
- Confirm the person has not eaten, drunk or smoked for at least 15 minutes.
- Use a new mouthpiece and follow the device's blow instructions.
- Record the g/dL reading, time, device ID and operator.
- If the reading is at or above your threshold, treat it as preliminary and run the confirmation step your policy or Part 40 requires.
- Store records under your retention rules.
Breathalyzers do not diagnose alcohol use disorder and no device is 100% accurate. Results depend on technique, calibration and conditions.
Who we supply
ASC sells wholesale drug and alcohol testing supplies to clinics, hospitals, addiction-treatment centers, courts and probation, labs, staffing firms and employers. If your hiring process also needs candidate screening, our sister division Reveal Background runs employment background checks.
FAQ
Can I buy a professional breathalyzer in bulk?
Yes. Wholesale buyers can order quantities through American Screening Corp, shipped same day nationwide. Contact us with your volume and use case for current models and pricing.
What BAC level counts as a DOT violation?
A confirmed breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 g/dL or higher is a violation under 49 CFR Part 40. A result of 0.02 or higher on screening requires a confirmation test.
How long does alcohol show on a breath test?
A breath test shows alcohol currently in the body. For recent use over a longer window, a urine EtG test at a 500 ng/mL cutoff can show use for up to about 80 hours.
Is a positive screen proof of drinking?
No. A positive screen is preliminary. Confirm breath results per DOT rules on an EBT, and confirm urine screens by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS laboratory testing.
Sources
- eCFR: 49 CFR Part 40, Subpart K, Alcohol Testing
- U.S. DOT ODAPC: 49 CFR Part 40
- NHTSA: Drunk Driving
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice.
