[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2610-2611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1083]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6524-6]
Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods:
Designation of a New Equivalent Method for SO2
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, a new
equivalent method for measuring concentrations of SO2 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, 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
for determining attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards. EPA hereby announces the designation of a new equivalent
method for measuring SO2 in ambient air. This designation is
made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on July 18,
1997 (62 FR 38764).
The new equivalent method for SO2 is an automated method
which utilizes the measurement principle based on UV fluorescence. The
newly designated method is identified as follows:
EQSA-0100-133, ``DKK Corporation Model GFS-112E U.V. Fluorescence
SO2 Analyzer,'' operated at any temperature ranging from
15 deg. C to 35 deg. C and on any of the following measurement
ranges: 0-0.05 ppm, 0-0.100 ppm, 0-0.200 ppm, 0-0.5 ppm, or 0-1.000
ppm.
An application for an equivalent method determination for the
method based on the corresponding DKK analyzer was received by the EPA
on June 21, 1999, and a notice of the receipt of this application was
published in the Federal Register on October 12, 1999. The methods are
available commercially from the applicant, DKK Corporation, 4-13-14,
Kichijoji Kitamachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180, JAPAN.
A test analyzer representative of this method has been tested by
the applicant 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 applicant, EPA
has determined, in accordance with part 53, that this method should be
designated as an equivalent method. The information submitted by the
applicant 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 a designated equivalent method, this method 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 the specifications
and limitations (e.g., operating temperature or measurement range)
specified in the applicable designation method description (see the
identification of the method 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-94/0386.'' 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
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 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 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 53.14(c) that the original
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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 this equivalent method 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 these methods should be directed
to the applicant.
Norine E. Noonan,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 00-1083 Filed 1-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U