ACETONE IN THE BREATH

Acetone exhalation in human subjects was investigated using a collection method dependent on the condensation of exhaled vapors in liquid air traps, and subsequesnt analysis of the condensate by chemical and mass spectrometry. It was found that normal nonfasting individuals were found to exhale demonstrable and fairly characteristic amounts of acetone. Diabetic nonfasting subjects were found to exhale significantly higher amounts of acetone with a much wider range of variation in values. These and other study findings are presented and discussed.