toxicology part ii alcohol. the path alcohol follows through the body 1. alcohol (ethanol) is...
TRANSCRIPT
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%