MODEL RELEASED. Collecting breath condensation. Healthy patient breathing into a cooled collection tube. Condensate collects in a unit at the bottom of the tube which is removed after collection and sent off for testing. This test is often used to check for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD is a group of diseases characterised by limited airflow to the lungs that is not fully reversible, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.