What does Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) measure?

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) measures the amount of alcohol present in a person's bloodstream. It is expressed as a percentage that indicates how much alcohol is contained in a certain volume of blood. For instance, a BAC of 0.08% means that there are 0.08 grams of alcohol for every 100 milliliters of blood. This measurement is crucial in legal and health contexts, as it helps to determine impairment levels, which can affect a person's ability to drive or operate machinery.

Understanding BAC is essential for managing alcohol consumption and ensuring public safety. It also provides important information to law enforcement and healthcare professionals regarding the effects of alcohol on an individual's behavior and physical capabilities. Other options like the quantity of alcohol consumed or the rate of alcohol absorption relate to different aspects of alcohol effects but do not specifically define what BAC itself measures.