In 1995, Prism Analytical Technologies, Inc. developed Air Scan — a technology that couples Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) methods to determine compounds in the air. Depending upon the application, Air Scan can be used to determine volatile compounds ranging from simple gases such as CO, HCl, HF, and COS, to complex organic compounds such as camphor, menthol, and naphthalene. Calibration curves are maintained for more than 50 compounds to provide quantitative determinations. In-house library reference data is maintained for an additional 200 compounds to provide semi-quantitative determinations. In addition, because of the investigative capabilities of infrared and mass spectrometers, it is also possible to identify hundreds more compounds.

The objective of Air Scan technology is to quickly and inexpensively identify what compounds are in the air. It is useful in analyzing vent and stack gases, establishing baseline VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) levels for indoor air quality, or investigating odor or employee complaints. It is particularly useful as a precursor to additional testing; because, once the VOCs are identified, subsequent testing can be tailored to the specific compounds of interest thereby reducing expensive "shot-in-the-dark" testing. Air Scan also has applications for the investigation of off gas from liquids, in-process materials, and product. Air Scan has even been applied to situations such as an investigation into the source for an unpleasant odor in newly manufactured refrigerators, an evaluation of the VOCs emitted when circuit boards overheat, and forensic investigations.