[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76174-76175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31241]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7420-2]
Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of a New Equivalent
Method for PM10
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of the designation of a new equivalent method for
monitoring ambient air quality.
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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 particulate matter as
PM10 in the ambient air.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Hunike, Human Exposure and
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-D205-03), National Exposure Research
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
Phone: (919) 541-3737, e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with regulations at 40 CFR
part 53, the EPA evaluates various methods for monitoring the
concentrations of those ambient air pollutants for which EPA has
established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQSs) as set
forth in 40 CFR part 50. Monitoring methods that are determined to meet
specific requirements for adequacy are designated by the EPA as either
reference methods or equivalent methods (as applicable), thereby
permitting their use under 40 CFR part 58 by States and other agencies
for determining attainment of the NAAQSs.
The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new equivalent
method for measuring concentrations of particulate matter as
PM10 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 PM10 is an automated
method (analyzer) that utilizes a measurement principle based on sample
collection by filtration and analysis by beta-ray attenuation. The
newly designated equivalent method is identified as follows:
EQPM-1102-150, ``Thermo Andersen Series FH 62 C14 Continuous
PM10 Ambient Particulate Monitor,'' operated for 24-hour average
measurements, with the specified 10-micron Inlet, Inlet Connector,
Sample Tube with heater, Roof Flange Kit, Mass Foil Kit, Pump Kit,
Sample Filter Tape; with Operational Settings of 1000 L/h (16.67 L/
min) sample flow rate, daily filter change, auto filter change at
volumetric flow < 950 L/h, auto filter change at Mass
1500 micrograms, and factory default calculation mode settings; and
with operational calibration and servicing as outlined in the
Operator Manual.
An application for an equivalent method determination for this
method was received by the EPA on August 5, 2002. The method is
available commercially from the applicant, Thermo Anderson, 500
Technology Court, Smyrna, Georgia 30082 (http://www.ThermoAndersen.com).
Test analyzers representative of this method have been tested by
the applicant in accordance with the applicable 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, either at
EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina 27711 or in an approved archive storage facility, and
will be available for inspection (with advance notice) to the extent
consistent with 40 CFR part 2 (EPA's regulations implementing the
Freedom of Information Act).
As a designated reference or 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
subject to any specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or
operational settings) specified in the applicable designation method
description (see the identification of the method above).
Users of the method should also note that its equivalent method
designation applies only to 24-hour average PM10
concentration measurements. The Series FH 62 C14 Monitor can also
provide average PM10 concentration measurements over other,
shorter averaging periods, including one-half-hour averages. However,
such shorter average concentration measurements may be less precise
than the 24-hour measurements and are not required for use in
determining attainment under the air quality surveillance requirements
of part 58 (although they may be useful for other purposes). 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 I,'' EPA/600/R-
94/038a and ``Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement
Systems, Volume II, Part 1,'' EPA-454/R-98-004. 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 (Modifications of Methods by Users) of
appendix C to 40 CFR part 58.
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 or
converted (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. The manufacturer
should be consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading or
conversion.
Part 53 requires that sellers of designated reference or equivalent
method analyzers or samplers comply with certain conditions. These
conditions are specified 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.
[[Page 76175]]
(c) The sampler or analyzer must function within the limits of the
applicable performance specifications given in 40 CFR 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 designation 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 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.
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-
E205-01), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
Designation of this new 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 the method should be directed to
the applicant.
Jewell Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 02-31241 Filed 12-10-02; 8:45 am]
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