[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69624-69626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33480]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6204-6]
Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods:
Designation of Four New Reference Methods and Receipt of Three New
Applications for Reference Method Determinations
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of designation and receipt of applications.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, four
new reference methods for the determination of ambient concentrations
of particulate matter measured as PM10. Notice is also given
that EPA has received three new applications for reference method
determinations under 40 CFR Part 53, one for a candidate method for
PM2.5 and two for candidate methods for PM10.
[[Page 69625]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank F. McElroy, Human Exposure and
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-46), National Exposure Research
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
Phone: (919) 541-2622, email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with regulations at 40 CFR
Part 53, the EPA examines various methods for monitoring the
concentrations of certain pollutants in the ambient air. Methods that
are determined to meet specific requirements for adequacy are
designated as either reference or equivalent methods, thereby
permitting their use under 40 CFR Part 58 by States and other agencies
in determining attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards. EPA hereby announces the designation of four new reference
methods for measuring PM10 in ambient air. These
designations are made under the provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as
amended on July 18, 1997 (62 FR 38764).
The new reference methods for PM10 are manual,
gravimetric monitoring methods based on particular commercially
available PM10 samplers. The newly designated methods are
identified as follows:
RFPS-1298-124, ``BGI Incorporated Model PQ100 Air Sampler'' with
BGI16.7 Inlet Kit, configured as a PM10 reference method,
for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a flow rate of 16.7 liters/
minute, and operated in accordance with the Model PQ100 Instruction
Manual and with the requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix
J or Appendix M, using either the original or the newer PQ200-type
filter cassettes.
RFPS-1298-125, ``BGI Incorporated Model PQ200 Air Sampler'' with
``flat plate'' PM10 inlet, configured as a PM10
reference method, and operated for 24-hour continuous sample periods in
accordance with the Model PQ200 Instruction Manual and with the
requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J or Appendix M.
RFPS-1298-126, ``Rupprecht and Patashnick Company
Partisol-FRM Model 2000 PM10 Air Sampler'' with
PM10 inlet, configured as a PM10 reference
method, and operated for 24-hour continuous sample periods in
accordance with the Model 2000 Instruction Manual and with the
requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J or Appendix M.
RFPS-1298-127, ``Rupprecht and Patashnick Company
Partisol-Plus Model 2025 PM10 Sequential Air
Sampler'' with PM10 inlet, configured as a PM10
reference method, and operated for 24-hour continuous sample periods in
accordance with the Model 2025 Instruction Manual and with the
requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J or Appendix M.
An application for a reference method determination for the method
based on the BGI Model PQ100 sampler was received by the EPA on May 4,
1998, and an application for the BGI Model PQ200 sampler method was
received on June 1, 1998. A notice of the receipt of these applications
was published in the Federal Register on August 3, 1998. The methods
are available commercially from the applicant, BGI Incorporated, 58
Guinan Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02154.
Applications for the reference method determinations for the
methods based on the Rupprecht and Patashnick Company
Partisol-FRM Model 2000 and Partisol-Plus Model
2025 were received by the EPA on February 3, 1998, and a notice of the
receipt of these applications was published in the Federal Register on
June 2, 1998. These methods are available commercially from the
applicant, Rupprecht and Patashnick Company, Incorporated, 25 Corporate
Circle, Albany, New York 12203.
Test samplers representative of these methods have been tested by
the respective applicants in accordance with the test procedures
specified in 40 CFR Part 53 (as amended on July 18, 1997). After
reviewing the results of those tests and other information submitted by
the respective applicants, EPA has determined, in accordance with Part
53, that these methods should be designated as reference methods. The
information submitted by the applicants will be kept on file at EPA's
National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina 27711, and will be available for inspection to the extent
consistent with 40 CFR Part 2 (EPA's regulations implementing the
Freedom of Information Act).
As designated reference methods, each of these methods is
acceptable for use by states and other air monitoring agencies under
the requirements of 40 CFR Part 58, Ambient Air Quality Surveillance.
For such purposes, the method must be used in strict accordance with
the operation or instruction manual associated with the method and
subject to any limitations (e.g., sample period or flow rate) specified
in the applicable designation method description (see identification of
the methods above). Use of the method should also be in general
accordance with the guidance and recommendations of applicable sections
of the Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement
Systems, Volume II (EPA/600/R-94/038b). Vendor modifications of a
designated reference or equivalent method used for purposes of Part 58
are permitted only with prior approval of the EPA, as provided in Part
53. Provisions concerning modification of such methods by users are
specified under Section 2.8 of Appendix C to 40 CFR Part 58
(Modifications of Methods by Users).
In general, a method designation applies to any sampler or analyzer
which is identical to the sampler or analyzer described in the
designation application. In some cases, similar samplers or analyzers
manufactured prior to the designation may be upgraded (e.g., by minor
modification or by substitution of a new operation or instruction
manual) so as to be identical to the designated method and thus achieve
designated status at a modest cost. The manufacturer should be
consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading.
Part 53 requires that sellers of designated reference or equivalent
method analyzers or samplers comply with certain conditions. These
conditions are given in 40 CFR Part 53.9 and are summarized below:
(a) A copy of the approved operation or instruction manual must
accompany the sampler or analyzer when it is delivered to the ultimate
purchaser.
(b) The sampler or analyzer must not generate any unreasonable
hazard to operators or to the environment.
(c) The sampler or analyzer must function within the limits of the
applicable performance specifications given in Parts 50 and 53 for at
least one year after delivery when maintained and operated in
accordance with the operation or instruction manual.
(d) Any sampler or analyzer offered for sale as part of a reference
or equivalent method must bear a label or sticker indicating that it
has been designated as part of a reference or equivalent method in
accordance with Part 53 and showing its designated method
identification number.
(e) If such an analyzer has two or more selectable ranges, the
label or sticker must be placed in close proximity to the range
selector and indicate which range or ranges have been included in the
reference or equivalent method designation.
(f) An applicant who offers samplers or analyzers for sale as part
of a reference or equivalent method is required to maintain a list of
ultimate purchasers of such samplers or
[[Page 69626]]
analyzers and to notify them within 30 days if a reference or
equivalent method designation applicable to the method has been
canceled or if adjustment of the sampler or analyzer is necessary under
40 CFR Part 53.11(b) to avoid a cancellation.
(g) An applicant who modifies a sampler or analyzer previously
designated as part of a reference or equivalent method is not permitted
to sell the sampler or analyzer (as modified) as part of a reference or
equivalent method (although it may be sold without such
representation), nor to attach a label or sticker to the sampler or
analyzer (as modified) under the provisions described above, until the
applicant has received notice under 40 CFR Part 53.14(c) that the
original designation or a new designation applies to the method as
modified, or until the applicant has applied for and received notice
under 40 CFR Part 53.8(b) of a new reference or equivalent method
determination for the sampler or analyzer as modified.
Aside from occasional breakdowns or malfunctions, consistent or
repeated noncompliance with any of these conditions should be reported
to: Director, Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-77),
National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
Designation of these reference methods is intended to assist the
States in establishing and operating their air quality surveillance
systems under 40 CFR Part 58. Questions concerning the commercial
availability or technical aspects of any of these methods should be
directed to the appropriate applicant.
Receipt of New Reference Method Applications
EPA is also hereby announcing that it has received three new
applications for reference method determinations under 40 CFR Part 53.
Publication of a notice of receipt of such applications is required by
Sec. 53.5.
On September 14, 1998, EPA received an application from Thermo
Environmental Instruments, Incorporated, 8 West Forge Parkway,
Franklin, Massachusetts 02038, for a reference method determination for
a PM2.5 method based on that Company's Model 606 CAPS
Sequential PM2.5 Sampler. Another application was received
on September 18, 1998, from Anderson Instruments, Incorporated, 500
Technology Court, Smyrna, Georgia 30082, for a reference method
determination for PM10 methods based on that Company's
Models RAAS10-100 Single Channel PM10 Sampler, RAAS10-200
Audit PM10 Sampler, and RAAS10-300 Sequential
PM10 Sampler. An application was received on September 24,
1998, from Tisch Environmental, Incorporated, 145 South Miami Avenue,
Village of Cleves, Ohio 45002, for a reference method determination for
a PM10 method based on that Company's Model TE-6001 High
Volume PM10 Air Sampler.
If, after appropriate technical study, the Administrator determines
that any or all of these methods should be designated as reference
methods under 40 CFR Part 53, notice thereof will be published in a
subsequent issue of the Federal Register.
Dated: December 10, 1998.
Norine E. Noonan,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 98-33480 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
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