Above which blood alcohol level can be fatal?

• A. >600 mg%
• B. 500-600 mg%
• C. 400-450 mg%
• D. 100-150 mg%

Answer: (A)

Very high blood alcohol concentrations cause life-threatening CNS depression that can stop breathing and compromise the airway. When BAC reaches about 0.60% (600 mg/dL) or higher, the risk of fatal outcomes increases markedly because the brain’s control of respiration and circulation is severely depressed, and complications like respiratory arrest, hypoxia, aspiration, hypotension, and coma can occur. The lower ranges reflect substantial intoxication, but death is less certain at those levels and depends on factors such as co-ingestants, age, medical status, and tolerance. Therefore, being above 600 mg/dL is the level most strongly associated with fatal outcomes among the given options.