Why is chain-of-custody important in air sampling?

• A. Ensures sample integrity and traceability.
• B. Increases sample volume.
• C. Decreases analysis time.
• D. Eliminates need for calibration.

Answer: (A)

Chain-of-custody in air sampling is about keeping an unbroken, documented record of every person who handles a sample from collection through to analysis. This ensures sample integrity and traceability, so the exact sample collected is the one that gets analyzed and the results truly reflect what was present at the time of collection. By recording who collected it, when and where, how it was stored, and every transfer or transport condition, you can detect potential tampering, mislabeling, or contamination and defend the data if decisions or regulations depend on it. It's essential for regulatory and legal defensibility and for quality assurance because it links the laboratory results to the real-world sample, with a clear history of handling. The other options don’t fit because chain-of-custody doesn’t affect how much sample is collected, how fast analysis occurs, or calibration needs; those are separate aspects of sampling quality.