[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 89 (Monday, May 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26603-26605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11430]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6601-8]
Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of Two New Reference
Methods for PM2.5 and Four New Equivalent Methods for
O3, SO2, NO2, and Pb
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of designation.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, two new
reference methods for measuring concentrations of PM2.5 and
four new equivalent methods for measuring concentrations of
O3, SO2, NO2, and Pb (respectively) in
ambient air.
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, NC 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
for determining attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards. EPA hereby announces the designation of two new reference
methods for measuring
[[Page 26604]]
concentrations of PM2.5 in ambient air and four new
equivalent methods for measuring O3, SO2,
NO2, and Pb (respectively) 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 PM2.5 are manual
monitoring methods based on particular, commercially available
PM2.5 samplers. The newly designated methods are identified
as follows:
RFPS-0400-135, ``URG-MASS100 Single PM 2.5 FRM Sampler,'' operated with
software (firmware) version 4B or 5.0.1, configured for ``Single 2.5''
operation, for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a flow rate of
16.67 liters/minute, and in accordance with the URG-MASS100 Operator's
Manual and with the requirements and sample collection filters
specified in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix L.
RFPS-0400-136, ``URG-MASS300 Sequential PM 2.5 FRM Sampler,'' operated
with software (firmware) version 4B or 5.0.1, configured for ``Multi
2.5'' operation, for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a flow rate
of 16.67 liters/minute, and in accordance with the URG-MASS300
Operator's Manual and with the requirements and sample collection
filters specified in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix L.
The application for reference method determinations for these
methods was received by EPA on July 27, 1998, and a notice of the
receipt of the application was published in the Federal Register on
October 29, 1998. The methods are available commercially from the
applicant, URG Corporation, 116 S. Merritt Mill Road, Chapel Hill, NC
27516.
The new equivalent methods for O3, SO2, and
NO2 are automated methods (analyzers) that utilize a
measurement principle based on differential optical absorption
spectroscopy (DOAS) and measure pollutant concentrations directly in
the atmosphere over a long, open path up to 500 meters in length, using
a particular commercially available monitoring system. These newly
designated methods are identified as follows:
EQOA-0400-137, Environnement S.A. Model SANOA Multigas Longpath Air
Quality Monitoring System, consisting of a receiver, one or more
projectors, interface unit, a user-provided control unit computer
running the SANOA VisionAIR software, and associated incidental
equipment; configured for measuring O3, with the
temperature control and internal calibration cell options installed,
operated with a measurement range of 0 to 0.5 ppm, over an installed
monitoring path length of between 27 and 500 meters, within an
ambient air temperature range of -30 to +45 deg.C, with a
measurement (integrating) time of 180 seconds, and with or without
external temperature and barometric pressure sensors or any of the
following options: external (meteo) input connection, series 1M bus
connection, OGR type projector, analog outputs. A high-concentration
ozone generator, part # 80-231-03, or the SONIMIX 7121B calibration
system is recommended for calibration or accuracy auditing.
EQSA-0400-138, Environnement S.A. Model SANOA Multigas Longpath Air
Quality Monitoring System, consisting of a receiver, one or more
projectors, interface unit, a user-provided control unit computer
running the SANOA VisionAIR software, and associated incidental
equipment; configured for measuring SO2, with the
temperature control and internal calibration cell options installed,
operated with a measurement range of 0 to 0.5 ppm, over an installed
monitoring path length of between 27 and 500 meters, within an
ambient air temperature range of -30 to +45 deg.C, with a
measurement (integrating) time of 180 seconds, and with or without
external temperature and barometric pressure sensors or any of the
following options: external (meteo) input connection, series 1M bus
connection, OGR type projector, analog outputs.
EQNA-0400-139, Environnement S.A. Model SANOA Multigas Longpath Air
Quality Monitoring System, consisting of a receiver, one or more
projectors, interface unit, a user-provided control unit computer
running the SANOA VisionAIR software, and associated incidental
equipment; configured for measuring NO2, with the
temperature control and internal calibration cell options installed,
operated with a measurement range of 0 to 0.5 ppm, over an installed
monitoring path length of between 27 and 500 meters, within an
ambient air temperature range of -30 to +45 deg.C, with a
measurement (integrating) time of 180 seconds, and with or without
external temperature and barometric pressure sensors or any of the
following options: external (meteo) input connection, series 1M bus
connection, OGR type projector, analog outputs.
Applications for equivalent method determinations for these methods
were received by EPA on February 17, 1999, June 28, 1999, and July 23,
1999, respectively. A notice of the receipt of these applications was
published in the Federal Register on October 12, 1999. The methods are
available commercially from the applicant, Environnement S.A., 111
Boulevard Robespierre, 78304 Poissy, France.
The new equivalent method for lead (Pb) is a manual method that
uses the sampling procedure specified in the Reference Method for the
Determination of Lead in Suspended Particulate Matter Collected from
Ambient Air (40 CFR part 50, Appendix G), with an alternative
analytical procedure. The method is identified as follows:
EQL-0400-140, ``Determination of Lead Concentration in Ambient
Particulate Matter by Inductively Coupled Plasma--Atomic Emission
Spectrometry (TNRCC).''
The application for an equivalent method determination for this
method was submitted by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission Laboratory, 5144 E. Sam Houston Parkway N., Houston, TX
77030 and was received by the EPA on March 1, 2000.
Test samplers, test analyzers, or the analytical procedure
representative of each 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 each of these methods should be designated as a reference or
equivalent method, as appropriate. 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 and equivalent methods, these methods are
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, each method must be used in strict accordance with
the operation or instruction manual associated with the method, any
specifications and limitations (e.g., sample period, flow rate, or path
length) specified in the applicable method designation description (see
identifications of the methods above), and the specifications and
requirements set forth in Appendixes G, or L to 40 CFR part 50, as
applicable. Use of the method should also be in general accordance with
the guidance and recommendations of applicable sections of the
``Quality Assurance Guidance Document 2.12'' and the ``Quality
Assurance Handbook, Volume II'' (both available at www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic). 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
[[Page 26605]]
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
application for designation. In some cases, similar samplers or
analyzers manufactured prior to the designation may be upgraded (e.g.,
by minor modification or by substitution of the approved 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 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 perfor-mance 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 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 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 53.8(b) of a new reference or equivalent method
determination for the sampler or analyzer as modified.
(h) An applicant who offers PM2.5 samplers for sale as
part of a reference or equivalent method is required to maintain the
manufacturing facility in which the sampler is manufactured as an ISO
9001-certified facility.
(i) An applicant who offers PM2.5 samplers for sale as
part of a reference or equivalent method is required to submit annually
a properly completed Product Manufacturing Checklist, as specified in
part 53.
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 new reference and equivalent 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.
Norine E. Noonan,
Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 00-11430 Filed 5-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P