[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 26, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38326-38327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18369]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5261-5]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods; 
Reference Method Designation

    Notice is hereby given that EPA, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, 
has designated another reference method for the measurement of ambient 
concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. The new reference method is an 
automated method (analyzer) which utilizes the measurement principle 
(gas phase chemiluminescence) and calibration procedure specified in 
appendix F of 40 CFR part 50. The new designated method is identified 
as follows:
    RFNA-0795-104, ``Environment S. A. Model AC 31 M Chemiluminescent 
Nitrogen Oxide Analyzer,'' operated with a full scale range of 0-500 
ppb, at any temperature in the range of 15 deg.C to 35 deg.C, with 5-
micron PTFE sample particulate filter, with the following software 
settings: Automatic response time ON, Minimum response time set to 60 
seconds (RT2), and with or without any of the following 
options:

Internal Permeation Oven
Connection for Silica Gel Dryer
RS232-422 interface
EV34 valve
Internal Printer

    Note: In addition to the standard U.S. electrical power voltage 
and frequency (115 Vac, 60 Hz), this analyzer is approved for use, 
with proper factory configuration, on 50 Hertz line frequency and 
any of the following voltage ranges: 98-126 Vac (115 nominal) and 
195-246 Vac (230 volts nominal).

    This method is available from Environmental S.A., 111, Bd 
Robespierre, 78300 Poissy, France or from Environment U.S.A., 570 
Higuera Street, Suite 25, San Luis Obispo, California 93401. A notice 
of receipt of application for this method appeared in the Federal 
Register, Volume 60, January 31, 1995, page 5919.
    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. After reviewing the results of these tests and other 
information submitted by the applicant, EPA has determined, in 
accordance with part 53, that this method should be designated as a 
reference 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 reference method, this method is acceptable for use 
by States and other air monitoring agencies under 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 
limitations (e.g., operating range) specified in the applicable 
designation (see description of the method above). Vendor modifications 
of a designated method used for purposes of part 58 are permitted only 
with prior approval of 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 part 58 (Modifications of Methods by 
Users).
    In general, this designation applies to any analyzer which is 
identical to the analyzer described in the designation. In many cases, 
similar analyzers manufactured prior to the designation may be upgraded 
(e.g., by minor modification or by substitution of a new operation or 
instruction manual) so as to be identical to the designated method and 
thus achieve designation status at a modest cost. The manufacturer 
should be consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading.
    Part 53 requires that sellers of designated methods comply with 
certain conditions. These conditions are given in 40 CFR 53.9 and are 
summarized below:
    (1) A copy of the approved operation or instruction manual must 
accompany the analyzer when it is delivered to the ultimate purchaser.
    (2) The analyzer must not generate any unreasonable hazard to 
operators or to the environment.
    (3) The analyzer must function within the limits of the performance 
specifications given in table B-1 of part 53 for at least one year 
after delivery when maintained and operated in accordance with the 
operation manual.
    (4) Any analyzer offered for sale as a reference or equivalent 
method must bear a label or sticker indicating that it has been 
designated as a reference or equivalent method in accordance with part 
53.
    (5) 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.
    (6) An applicant who offers analyzers for sale as reference or 
equivalent methods is required to maintain a list of ultimate 
purchasers of such analyzers and to notify them within 30 days if a 
reference or equivalent method designation applicable to the analyzers 
has been canceled or if adjustment of the analyzers is necessary under 
40 CFR 53.11(b) to avoid a cancellation.
    (7) An applicant who modifies an analyzer previously designated as 
a reference or equivalent method is not permitted to sell the analyzer 
(as modified) as a reference or equivalent method (although he may 
choose to sell it without such representation), nor to attach a label 
or sticker to the analyzer (as modified) under the provisions described 
above, until he has received 

[[Page 38327]]
notice under 40 CFR 53.14(c) that the original designation or a new 
designation applies to the method as modified or until he has applied 
for and received notice under 40 CFR 53.8(b) of a new reference or 
equivalent method determination for the analyzer as modified.
    Aside from occasional breakdowns or malfunctions, consistent or 
repeated noncompliance with any of these conditions should be reported 
to: Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Department E (MD-
77), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, 
North Carolina 27711.
    Designation of this reference method will provide assistance to the 
States in establishing and operating their air quality surveillance 
systems under part 58. Technical questions concerning the method should 
be directed to the manufacturer. Additional information concerning this 
action may be obtained from Frank F. McElroy, Air Measurements Research 
Division (MD-77), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 
27711, (919) 541-2622.

    Dated: July 12, 1995.
Joseph Alexander,
Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 95-18369 Filed 7-25-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M