Suggested Serving Sizes
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is the amount (in grams) of alcohol per every 100 millilitres of blood, converted into a percentage. This can be measured by using a breathalyzer or testing blood and urine samples.
However, number of standard sized drinks and time in which they were consumed can be used to estimate BAC. Expected BAC can be calculated and readily found in charts, these estimators are commonly used in the service industries. Smart Serve Ontario provides an interactive estimator as well as BAC charts that also consider weight and sex as factors (try one out at smartserve.ca).
It is important to remember that there are many individual and environmental factors that can contribute to BAC and symptom presentation. Factors include but are not limited to; sex, weight, liver health, food in stomach, medications, and whether or not standard serving sizes are being followed.
Guidelines and Limitations
The legal limit of intoxication as dictated by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation is a BAC of 0.08. This means that there is 0.08 grams (or 80 milligrams) of alcohol per every 100 millilitres of blood. Breaking these laws can be both costly and dangerous, penalties range from licences suspensions, monetary fines, to mandatory education or treatment programs. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated puts the driver and everyone around them in danger (visit our Crime section for more information).
BAC levels in the range of 0.31 to 0.41 are considered life threatening because there is suppression of vital bodily functions. If an overdose is suspected, it is important to call emergency services and not to leave the individual alone.