[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 151 (Friday, August 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47924-47926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18028]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7798-9]


Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring 
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Reference 
Method for NO2 and Three New Equivalent Methods for PM2.5

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of the designation of one new reference method and three 
new equivalent methods 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, one new 
reference method for measuring concentrations of NO2, and 
three new equivalent methods for measuring concentrations of 
PM2.5 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 examines various methods for monitoring the 
concentrations of those ambient air pollutants for which the 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 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 NO2 
in ambient air and three new equivalent methods for measuring 
concentrations of particulate matter 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 NO2 is an automated method 
(analyzer) that utilizes the measurement principle (gas phase 
chemiluminescence) and calibration procedure specified in appendix F of 
40 CFR part 50. The newly designated method is described as follows:

RFNA-0804-152, ``SIR S.A. Model S-5012 Chemiluminescent Nitrogen 
Oxides Analyzer,'' operated with a full scale range of 0-500 ppb, at 
any temperature in the range of 20 [deg]C to 30 [deg]C, with the 
integration time set to 1 minute, with the ``initial zero'' 
disabled, and with a specified Teflon particulate filter installed 
in the sample inlet filter holder.

    An application on behalf of the SIR S.A. Model S-5012 analyzer was 
received on January 12, 2004. The method is available commercially from 
Sistemas Instalaciones y Redes, S.A. (SIR S.A.), Avenida de la 
Industria, 3, 28760 Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain.
    The three new equivalent methods for PM2.5 are manual 
monitoring methods that are based on particular, commercially available 
PM2.5 samplers. The methods are identified as Class II 
equivalent methods, which means that they are based on an integrated, 
filtered air sample with gravimetric analysis, but with substantial 
deviation from the specifications for reference methods set forth in 
appendix L of 40 CFR part 50. In this case, each of the three new 
equivalent method samplers is very similar to a corresponding sampler 
that has been previously designated by the EPA as a reference method 
sampler for PM2.5 (or PM10). However, these newly 
designated equivalent method samplers use a specific, very sharp cut 
cyclone (VSCC\TM\) as the principle particle size separation device 
rather than the WINS impactor used in the corresponding reference 
method sampler. The newly designated Class II equivalent methods are 
identified as follows:

EQPM-0804-153, ``Thermo Electron Corporation Model RAAS2.5-100 FEM'' 
PM2.5 Ambient Air Sampler, configured with a BGI VSCC'' 
Very Sharp Cut Cyclone particle size separator and operated with 
software version 06.0B.00 configured for ``Single 2.5'' operation, 
for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a flow rate of 16.67 
liters/minute, in accordance with the Model RAAS2.5-100 FEM 
Operator's Manual and VSCC'' supplemental manual, and in accordance 
with the requirements and sample collection filters specified in 40 
CFR part 50, appendix L.

EQPM-0804-154 ``Thermo Electron Corporation Model RAAS2.5-200 FEM'' 
PM2.5 Ambient Air Sampler, configured with a BGI VSCC'' 
Very Sharp Cut Cyclone particle size separator and operated with 
software version 06.0B.00, for 24-hour continuous sample periods at 
a flow rate of

[[Page 47925]]

16.67 liters/minute, in accordance with the Model RAAS2.5-200 FEM 
Operator's Manual and VSCC\TM\ supplemental manual, and in 
accordance with the requirements and sample collection filters 
specified in 40 CFR part 50, appendix L.

EQPM-0804-155 ``Thermo Electron Corporation Model RAAS2.5-300 FEM'' 
PM2.5 Sequential Ambient Air Sampler, configured with a 
BGI VSCC\TM\ Very Sharp Cut Cyclone particle size separator and 
operated with software version 06.0B.00 configured for ``Multi 2.5'' 
operation, for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a flow rate of 
16.67 liters/minute, in accordance with the Model RAAS2.5-300 FEM 
Operator's Manual and VSCCTM supplemental manual, and in 
accordance with the requirements and sample collection filters 
specified in 40 CFR part 50, appendix L.

    An application for equivalent method determinations for these 
methods was received by the EPA on March 24, 2004. The samplers are 
available commercially from Thermo Electron Corporation, 27 Forge 
Parkway, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038.
    A test analyzer or test samplers representative of each of these 
methods have been tested by the corresponding applicants 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 applicants, the EPA has 
determined, in accordance with part 53, that each of these methods 
should be designated as reference or equivalent methods, as indicated. 
The information submitted by the applicants will be kept on file, 
either at the EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research 
Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 or in an approved achieve 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., 
measurement range, configuration, or sample period) 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 
of the ``Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement 
Systems, Volume II: Part 1,'' EPA/454/R-98/004, and with the Quality 
Assurance Guidance Document 2.12 (available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/pmqainf.html). 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 reference or equivalent 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 
changes.
    In the particular case of the three new PM2.5 Class II 
equivalent methods, a corresponding PM2.5 (or 
PM10) reference method sampler configuration may be 
converted to the equivalent method configuration by replacement of the 
WINS impactor (or the PM10 extender tube for the 
PM10 version) with the BGI VSCC\TM\ device specified in the 
equivalent method description. The VSCC\TM\ device should be purchased 
from the sampler manufacturer, who will also furnish installation, 
conversion, operation, and maintenance instructions for the VSCC\TM\ as 
well as a new equivalent method identification label to be installed on 
the sampler. If the conversion is to be permanent, the original 
designated reference method label should be removed from the sampler 
and replaced with the new designated equivalent method label. In a case 
where a converted sampler may need to be restored later to its original 
reference method configuration (such as for a specific application 
requiring a reference method) by re-installation of the WINS impactor 
(or PM10 extender tube), the new equivalent method label may 
be installed on the sampler without removing the original reference 
method label, such that the sampler bears both labels. (Alternatively, 
the new label may describe multiple configurations.) In this situation, 
the sampler shall be clearly and conspicuously marked by the operator 
to indicate its current configuration (i.e. WINS/PM2.5 
reference method, VSCC\TM\/PM2.5 equivalent method, or 
PM10 reference method) so that the monitoring method is 
correctly identified and the correct method code is used when reporting 
monitoring data obtained with the sampler.
    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 by the EPA 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

[[Page 47926]]

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 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.

Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 04-18028 Filed 8-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P