Breathatron detects Volatile Organic Compounds in breath

An electronic nose has been developed which can identify potentially-fatal strains of pneumonia by "smelling" the breath of a patient. The Breathatron, developed by doctors at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, works by detecting chemicals in saliva.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7688812.stm

http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/bioscience/research/environmentalhealth/page25194.jsp

This is of interest because it again shows the potential of these type of detectors in detecting Volatile Organic Compounds in the breath (and from the lungs). This type of test seems likely to play a big role in defining halitosis and sytemic/bloodborne halitosis, and possibly also systemic/bloodborne body odor.

An email will be sent to the makers to ask about the possiblilies with regards halitosis (localized and bloodborne) and body odor (bloodborne), although it's likely it isn't a 'priority' for them at the moment.