Halimeter
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A Halimeter is an instrument for measurement of the level of [[volatile sulfide compounds]] (VSC) in the mouth.
Halimeter was introduced in the early 1990s as an adjunct method for determining halitosis (bad breath, oral malodor) levels, alongside human assessment of odor levels (the latter is considered the gold standard). The instrument measures parts per billion levels of hydrogen sulfide and, to a lesser extent, methyl mercaptan, two gases which were previously shown to be associated with bad breath using gas chromatograph by Dr. Joseph Tonzetich in the late 1960s.
The Halimeter is manufactured by Interscan Corp. in California, and based on their earlier model 1170 portable sulfide monitor. This was the model used in the two original studies (Rosenberg M, Kulkarni GV, Bosy A, McCulloch CA. Reproducibility and sensitivity of oral malodor measurements with a portable sulphide monitor. J Dent Res. 1991 Nov;70(11):1436-40) (Rosenberg M, Septon I, Eli I, Bar-Ness R, Gelernter I, Brenner S, Gabbay J. Halitosis measurement by an industrial sulphide monitor. J Periodontol. 1991 Aug;62(8):487-9). These studies, conducted for the first time by Dr. Mel Rosenberg, showed a significant correlation between monitor levels and oral malodor scores. The small size, simplicity of use, and price (relative to [gas chromatograph]) of the Halimeter made it popular among dentists seeking to diagnose and treat bad breath, as well as scientific researchers. Much of the published research on bad breath over the past dozen years has employed this instrument. The electrochemical sensor is sensitive to alcohol vapors, and requires recalibration over time. The Halimeter now faces competition from other sulfur monitors recently introduced into the marketplace.
