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Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) are innovative chemical ionisation technologies that provide rapid, real-time gas analysis with high sensitivity. These techniques enable the detection and quantification of a wide range of gases – including volatile organic compounds – at extremely low concentrations, without the need for extensive sample preparation. PTR-MS and SIFT-MS have revolutionised fields like air quality monitoring, medical diagnostics, food science and environmental research, thanks to their ability to deliver accurate, continuous measurements.

For measurements to be trusted, they must be comparable across different studies and times. This requires proper calibration, where an instrument’s accuracy is compared against a recognised industry standard. Timely and correct calibration helps to ensure data reliability, and supports confident decision making in critical sectors. Although there are no strict guidelines dictating when to calibrate, regular checks – often annually or as part of a quality management system – are common practice to maintain instrument accuracy.

Given the complexity of gas analysis, especially with evolving instruments like PTR-MS and SIFT-MS, expert guidance from national metrology institutes like NPL can help determine optimal calibration intervals. NPL offers trusted, high-quality primary reference materials with unique compositions, enhancing measurement accuracy and supporting long-term traceability, stability and reproducibility in PTR-MS and SIFT-MS performance.