[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13224-13225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4905]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8541-1]
Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Equivalent
Method
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of the designation of one 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, one new
equivalent method for measuring concentrations of particulate matter as
PM2.5 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
PM2.5 in the ambient air. This designation is made under the
provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as amended on December 18, 2006 (71 FR
61271).
The new equivalent method for PM2.5 is an automated
method (sampler) that utilizes a measurement principle based on filter
sample collection and analysis by beta-ray attenuation. The newly
designated equivalent method is identified as follows: EQPM-0308-170,
``Met One Instruments, Inc. BAM-1020 Beta Attenuation Mass Monitor--
PM2.5 FEM Configuration, configured with a PM2.5
particle size separator,'' operated for 24 hour average measurements
with firmware revision 3.2.4 or later, with or without an inlet tube
extension (BX-823), with or without external enclosures BX-902 or BX-
903, in accordance with the BAM 1020 Particulate Monitor operation
manual, revision F or later, and equipped with BX-596 ambient
temperature and barometric pressure combination sensor, internal BX-961
automatic flow controller operated in Actual (volumetric) flow control
mode, the standard BX-802 EPA PM10 inlet head and a
PM2.5 very sharp cut cyclone (BX-808), BX-827 (110V) or BX-
830 (230V) Smart Inlet Heater, with the heater RH set to 35% and the
temperature control set to ``off'', the 8470-1 revision D or later tape
control transport assembly with close geometry beta source
configuration, used with standard glass fiber filter tape, COUNT TIME
parameter set for 8 minutes, the SAMPLE TIME parameter set for 42
[[Page 13225]]
minutes, BX-302 zero filter calibration kit required.
An application for an equivalent method determination for the
candidate method was received by the EPA on September 19, 2007. The
sampler is commercially available from the applicant, Met One
Instruments, Inc., 1600 Washington Boulevard, Grants Pass, Oregon 07526
(http://www.metone.com).
A test analyzer representative of this method has been tested in
accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR Part
53 (as amended on December 18, 2006). After reviewing the results of
those tests and other information submitted by the applicant in the
application, EPA has determined, in accordance with Part 53, that this
method should be designated as an equivalent method. The information
submitted by the applicant in the application 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 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 identifications 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 I,''
EPA/600/R-94/038a and ``Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution
Measurement Systems, Volume II, Part 1,'' EPA-454/R-98-004 (available
at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qabook.html). Vendor modifications of
a designated 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.
(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.
Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. E8-4905 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P