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The Halimeter has become the standard clinical instrument for detection and measurement of volatile sulfur compounds VSC in mouth air. (Most breath clinics will have one of these).

The instrument is an adaptation of a portable sulfide monitor used in industry. The sensitivity has been increased into the parts per billion range (very small amounts). The basis of detection is an electrochemical process that reacts to VSC's. However, the cell is not specific for VSC's and will detect other substances including alcohols. For that reason breath clinics will ask you to refrain from homecare measures before having your breath checked.

In fact, the instrument will even react to water vapour to a small amount (produces repeatable readings in range < 100 ppb), and for that reason must be carefully adjusted before use. The electrochemical cell eventually needs re-calibration by the manufacturer. The manufacturer's literature suggests that breath readings showing greater than 300 parts per billion of VSC's are generally indicative of bad breath.

In our lab we interface our Halimeter with a computer for electronic data capture. With this approach we can capture and process large numbers of readings for many patients in our research groups. The general trend in laboratory investigation is to capture and record data in electronic format.