[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42557-42558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15877]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Office of Research and Development

[FRL-7236-4]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: 
Designation of a New Reference Method for CO and a New Equivalent 
Method for O3

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of designation of new reference and equivalent methods 
for ambient air monitoring.

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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 
reference method for measuring concentrations of CO in ambient air and 
a new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of O3 
in 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), 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 reference 
method for measuring concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) in ambient 
air and one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of ozone 
(O3) 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 method for CO is an automated method that 
utilizes the measurement principle based on non-dispersive infra-red 
absorption photometry (combined with gas filter correlation) and the 
calibration procedure specified in appendix C of 40 CFR part 50. The 
newly designated reference method is identified as follows: RFCA-0206-
147, ``Environnement S.A Model CO12M Gas Filter Correlation Carbon 
Monoxide Analyzer,'' operated with a full scale range of 0-50 ppm, at 
any temperature in the range of 10  deg.C to 35  deg.C, on a nominal 
power line voltage of 115 Vac (50 or 60 Hz) or 230 Vac (50 Hz), with a 
5-micron PTFE sample particulate filter, with response time ON, and 
with the automatic ``ZERO-REF'' cycle either ON or OFF.
    An application for a reference method determination for this method 
was received by the EPA on February 8, 2002. The method is available 
commercially from the applicant, Environnement S.A, 111, Boulevard 
Robespierre, 78304 Poissy, France (http://www.environnement-sa.com).
    The new equivalent method for O3 is an automated method 
that utilizes a measurement principle based on non-dispersive 
ultraviolet absorption photometry. The newly designated reference 
method is identified as follows:
    EQOA-0206-148, ``Environnement S.A Model O342M UV 
Photometric Ozone Analyzer,'' operated with a full scale range of 0-500 
ppb, at any temperature in the range of 10  deg.C to 35  deg.C, on a 
nominal power line voltage of 115 Vac (50 or 60 Hz) or 230 Vac (50 Hz), 
with a 5-micron PTFE sample particulate filter, with response time 
setting of 11 (Automatic response time), and with or without any of the 
following options:
    (a) Internal ozone generator,
    (b) Span external control (zero/span solenoid valve).
    An application for an equivalent method determination for this 
method was received by the EPA on November 13, 2001. The method is 
available commercially from the applicant, Environnement S. A., 111, 
Boulevard Robespierre, 78304 Poissy, France (http://www.environnement-sa.com).
    Test analyzers representative of each of these methods 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 these methods should be designated as a reference method and 
an equivalent method, respectively. 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, 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 specifications and limitations (e.g., 
configuration, sample period, or temperature range) specified in the 
applicable designation method description (see the identification of 
the methods above). Use of the method should also be in general 
accordance with the guidance and recommendations of applicable sections

[[Page 42558]]

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 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.
    (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.
    (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-
E205-01), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
    Designation of these 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 either of the methods 
should be directed to the applicant.

    Dated: June 12, 2002.
Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 02-15877 Filed 6-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P