Alcohol Facts by National Draeger
Method
Alcohol is eliminated from the body both by metabolism and by direct excretion.
Metabolism
Most alcohol (between 90 and 98%) is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. The oxidation process takes place in the liver. Since oxidation provides the body with calories, alcohol must be considered a food although it has no direct fool value.
Excretion
A small amount of alcohol is excreted directly through breath, urine, tears, saliva, perspiration, etc. The amount thus excreted is generally about 2% and rarely exceeds 8% of the quantity absorbed.
Rate of Elimination
As soon as alcohol is absorbed into the blood system and travels to the liver, the body immediately starts to eliminate it. The average rate of elimination is reported as 0.015 to 0.018% per hour and varies between 0.01 and 0.025% per hour. At very low BAC's, the average rate of elimination is about 0.01% per hour. For a man weighing 150 pounds, the quantity eliminated in one hour is about 7g or 2/3 oz. of 100-proof whiskey. Although there is some controversy in the literature, the preponderant evidence indicates that the rate of elimination is essentially linear; that is, for any given person at a given time, the rate of alcohol elimination per hour will be essentially constant.
Factors Affecting Rate of Elimination
In general, the rate of elimination is not affected by stimulants, diseased states or exercise. Where changes in rates have been noted, they are too small to be of any practical value. Because of the small quantity excreted directly, any attempt aimed at eliminating alcohol through increasing breathing rate, urine or perspiration has little or no effect.
