Residual alcohol and the wait period

Aaron’s Ignition Interlock device flagged a positive breath test one morning, while he was on his way to work. He knew he hadn’t had a drink, but remembered using mouthwash right before testing. Sure enough, when he checked, the mouthwash contained alcohol.

Through the MyCAMprogram module on contamination and residual alcohol, he learned that even a small amount of alcohol left in the mouth can trigger a false positive. The program explained why testers require a 15–20 minute waiting period before blowing into a device, and how to document potential exposure events.

Now Aaron waits, uses a non-alcohol mouthwash, logs his testing times, and keeps notes on any products he uses before testing. His results have stayed clean, and he’s confident his readings reflect reality, not residue.

Key takeaway: That 15-20 minute wait isn’t just a rule - it’s protection for you. Skipping it raises the risk of false positives that can affect your freedom or your case.