Original on-line measurements of acetone, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide in the exhaled breath of several volunteers within the age ranges 4-6 years and 60-83 years are reported and compared with previous data on volunteer cohorts covering ages 17-18 years and 20-60 years. The compiled data show that a significant statistical increase in breath ammonia occurs with increasing age, but that acetone and hydrogen cyanide do not vary greatly with age.