Final answer:
A primary factor affecting BAC is the individual rate of alcohol metabolism. Sex, age, weight, and health can all influence this rate. Understanding that effects of alcohol and BAC levels can vary greatly among individuals is crucial.
Step-by-step explanation:
A primary factor affecting your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the rate at which your body metabolizes alcohol. The liver metabolizes alcohol at a steady rate, and this process cannot be sped up by measures such as drinking coffee or taking a shower. Factors such as age, sex, weight, and individual health conditions can influence the rate of alcohol metabolism, leading to different BAC levels even if the same amount of alcohol is consumed. The body processes alcohol at a rate of about 3.3 mmol/L (15 mg/dL) per hour, but this rate can vary between individuals.
Females tend to metabolize alcohol slower than males, and the BAC can be legally defined as intoxication when it surpasses a value of 0.08%. It's important to understand that the effects of alcohol can vary greatly between individuals, and the BAC levels only provide an estimate for the impairment one might feel. Additionally, a Breathalyzer can be used to measure BAC, and it works through the oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid in the breath.