U.S. Breath Analyzers Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Fuel Cell, Semiconductor Sensor, Infrared Spectroscopy), By Application (Alcohol Detection, Drug Abuse Detection), By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The U.S. breath analyzers market size was valued at USD 998.4 million in 2022. The market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5% from 2023 to 2030. Growing demand for breath analyzers from law enforcement agencies and other institutions such as schools, sports, and offices to minimize alcohol abuse is a major market driver. Breath analyzers are quick and user-friendly, and they offer a correct way of determining blood alcohol concentration. The factor boosting sales of these devices is growing stringent regulations across the country for alcohol breath testing while driving. Along with alcohol detection, breath analyzers are also utilized in diagnosing tuberculosis, asthma, and various infections. Consequently, breath analyzers are observing a proliferated rate of implementation in medical settings and diagnostic centers.

The pandemic has impacted the global economy, with all the industries observing a substantial slump during 2020. The healthcare industry was severely impacted, as the COVID-19 pandemic put significant pressure on the healthcare sector, due to a high number of hospital admissions. Since March 2020, thousands of businesses had been forced to close their doors - at least for the time being - resulting in the unemployment of millions of Americans. Over half a year later, employers were still unsure about reopening their businesses, and those who lost jobs were looking for employment.

Besides, a ban on travel, closure of restaurants and bars, restrictions on visiting relatives or friends, and shut down of other alcohol selling spaces led to a short-term reduction in alcohol consumption, which directly impacted the market for breath analyzers. For instance, as per data from Brewers Association, the overall U.S. beer volume sale was down 3% in 2020. A decrease in the target population led to a decline in demand for devices and products required for respective procedures. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a series of changes across industries. For instance, in June 2020, American researchers at Ohio State University and UCLA received grants to test coronavirus breathalyzer concepts, one of which could show results in 15 seconds.

The objective of this study is to develop low-priced, massively deployable, rapid diagnostic sentinel systems for detecting respiratory diseases and airborne viral threats. Thus, innovative breath analyzers will have a wide range of applications. Hence, it is expected that the market for breath analyzers will witness the introduction of novel, innovative technologies, and new product launches during the forecast period, in turn positively impacting growth. The increasing consumption of alcohol and the growing number of alcohol-related crimes and abuses have led to stricter legislation for the testing of alcohol levels. These factors are some of the major aspects of the widespread use of breath analyzers and are expected to be responsible for further growth of the market for breath analyzers.

For instance, 85.6% of people aged 18 and older testified that they drank alcohol at some point in their life, as stated by the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Every state in the country has its own Legal Status Guide for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Laws, which also supports market growth. The use of breath analysis, the science of using biomarkers in the breath for diagnostic measures, is increasing rapidly, particularly in the clinical diagnostic settings. Breath analyzer technologies are improving to become precise.

Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) are accountable for 3.9 million deaths each year in the Americas, demonstrating ¾ of all deaths. A projected 200 million individuals in the Americas are living with NCDs, which has a tremendous influence on their life, well-being, and ability to work. Besides, COVID-19 disease-detecting breathalyzers are also in the development phase to cater to the demand. These factors are expected to support overall market growth. Concerns regarding the accuracy of these devices are a major disadvantage affecting the growth of the studied market. However, the introduction of innovative devices designed to reduce such problems is expected to counter this restraint, driving the market for breath analyzers.

Technology Insights

The fuel cells segment held the largest revenue share of over 33.0% in 2022. This technology is the most widely used in breath analyzers. Fuel cell-based devices provide an extremely high level of accurateness, sensitivity, and reliability. The use of fuel cell technology in breath analyzers has shown significant growth in the recent past. Cases of misreading of ketone and acetone amounts in the breath have significantly reduced owing to alcohol sensitivity of fuel cell technology. Due to various benefits such as compact size of devices and minimum power requirements, fuel cell technology has become a gold standard for hand-held devices.

The IR spectroscopy segment is estimated to post lucrative growth during the same period. IR spectroscopy has the feature to distinguish between alcohol levels in lungs and in the upper tracks, including residual alcohol in the breath. When one drinks a glass of alcohol, particles are present in their mouth, trachea, and esophagus. When they take a test in a breathalyzer based on fuel cell or semiconductor technology, it could seem like a positive result, not representative of the real blood alcohol level. By measuring the concentration over time at a high frequency, IR spectroscopy helps notice false positive results. Thus, such benefits of the technology are expected to drive the segment.

Application Insights

The alcohol detection segment dominated the market for breath analyzers and accounted for the largest revenue share over 45.0% in 2022. The growth of this segment is mainly driven by strict government regulations for driving under alcohol influence. Continuous product improvements by leveraging on new-age, sophisticated technologies have led to more lightweight, effective, and low-cost devices entering the market. Besides, excessive alcohol consumption and growing incidence of road accidents further boost segment growth.

The medical application segment is expected to exhibit lucrative growth during the forecast period, owing to introduction of advanced technologies to detect nitric oxide and carbon monoxide in the breath. In February 2019, a collective team of researchers from Latvia, Israel, China, France, and the U.S. developed an AI system that detects ailments in exhaled breath. In their study, the scientists found the device successfully detected 17 ailments with 86% accuracy. Hence, such initiatives are expected to support overall market growth.

End-use Insights

The law enforcement agencies segment dominated the U.S. breath analyzers market and accounted for the largest revenue share of over 50.0% in 2022. Breath analyzing devices are widely used for breath alcohol detection by law enforcement agencies, to improve road traffic safety. Strict safety regulations against driving under the influence of alcohol and the increasing scale of screening and evidential testing are factors impelling the growth of the segment.

The others segment is expected to exhibit lucrative growth in the market for breath analyzers during the forecast period. High crime rate in certain parts and strict drug testing regulations implemented by governments in the nation are factors expected to support segment growth. Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. is among the trusted American manufacturers of handheld evidential breath testing instruments for screening and confirmation testing of workforces in both nonregulated and DOT-regulated industries. Besides, the firm also manufactures professional breath alcohol testers that are trusted countrywide by school resource officers and school administrators in middle schools, high schools, and colleges.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market for breath analyzers is highly fragmented with the presence of many small and medium-size players. Companies entering with innovative products have great scope for growth as the demand for innovative products is high. The key players are involved in new product launches, acquisitions, and partnerships to gain a competitive edge over each other. For instance, in November 2020, MyMD Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage pharmaceutical company, and Akers Biosciences entered into merger agreement. Upon closing the transaction, the new company was renamed MyMD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Likewise, In July 2020, Lifeloc Technologies introduced two breath alcohol testers-LX9 and LT7. These testers are USA DOT/NHTSA approved breathalyzers for workplace and law enforcement markets, with greater features that make them user-friendly, while helping make roadways and communities safer. Some of the prominent players in the U.S. breath analyzers market include:

• Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA

• Lifeloc Technologies, Inc.

• Quest Products, LLC.

• Intoximeters

• Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp.

• AK GlobalTech Corp.

• PAS Systems International, Inc

• Akers Biosciences, Inc.

• BACtrack

• Lion Laboratories (CMI INC.)

• Advanced Safety Devices

• MPD, Inc

• Intoximeter, Inc

• Alere

• Alcopro, Inc

U.S. Breath Analyzers Market Report Scope

U.S. Breath Analyzers Market Report Segmentation 

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For the purpose of this study,Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. breath analyzers market report on the basis of technology, application, end use:

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Fuel Cell Technology

  • Semiconductor sensor

  • Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

  • Others 

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Drug Abuse Detection

  • Alcohol Detection

  • Medical Applications 

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Law Enforcement Agencies

  • Individuals

  • Others