Face masks became a symbol of public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now researchers have given them an even more powerful role. Scientists have developed a surgical face mask that doesn’t just protect, it can diagnose. Specifically, it can detect chronic kidney disease (CKD) using just your breath.

Developed by researchers reporting in ACS Sensors, this modified mask features a sensor that picks up metabolites linked to CKD, such as ammonia, ethanol, propanol, and acetone. These are chemicals that appear in higher concentrations in the breath of CKD patients. The team embedded a polymer sensor, enhanced with porphyrins, between the mask’s layers to detect these compounds with high sensitivity.

When tested on 100 participants, half with CKD and half without, the mask was able to correctly identify patients with the disease 84% of the time and correctly exclude it 88% of the time. Beyond diagnosis, the mask could even help estimate the disease’s stage, making it a potential tool for ongoing monitoring.

This non-invasive, low-cost diagnostic approach could drastically improve how we detect and manage kidney disease, especially for early-stage patients who often go undiagnosed. Backed by the EU’s NextGenerationEU project, the innovation showcases how everyday health gear could soon do more than just filter air, it could save lives.

Article written by ACS Chemistry for Life team

07/05/2025

Source:

ACS Chemistry for Life

https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2025/may/specialized-face-mask-can-detect-kidney-disease-with-just-your-breath.html