[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39382-39383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18984]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY


Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring 
Reference and Equivalent Methods; Reference and Equivalent Method 
Designations

    Notice is hereby given that EPA, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, 
has designated two additional equivalent methods and one additional 
reference method for ambient air monitoring. One of the equivalent 
methods is for the measurement of ambient concentrations of ozone and 
the other is for the measurement of ambient concentrations of lead. The 
reference method is for the measurement of ambient concentrations of 
carbon monoxide.
    The new equivalent method for ozone is an automated method 
(analyzer) which utilizes the measurement principle based on absorption 
of ultraviolet radiation by ozone at a wavelength of 254 nm. This new 
designated method is identified as follows:

EQOA-0895-105, ``Environment S.A. Model Q341M UV Photometric Ozone 
Analyzer,'' operated on a full scale range of 0-500 ppb, at any 
temperature in the range of 15 deg. C to 35 deg. C, with the response 
time set to 50 seconds, and with or without any of the following 
options:
    (1) Internal Ozone Generator
    (2) Span External Control
    (3) RS232-422 Serial Interface
    (4) 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 at any 
of the following voltage ranges: 105-125 Vac (115 V nominal) or 210-
250 Vac (230 V 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, CA 93401. A notice of 
receipt of application for this method appeared in the Federal 
Register, Volume 60, Number 111, June 9, 1995, page 30535.
    The new reference method for carbon monoxide is an automated method 
(analyzer) which utilizes a cross flow modulated version of the 
measurement principle (non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) photometry) and 
the calibration procedure specified in appendix C of 40 CFR part 50. 
The new designated method is identified as follows:

RFCA-0895-106, ``Horiba Instruments Incorporated, Model APMA-360 
Ambient Carbon Monoxide Monitor,'' operated on the 0-50 ppm range, with 
the Line Setting set to ``MEASURE'', with the Analog Output set to 
``MOMENTARY VALUE'', and with or without the optional Rack Mounting 
Plate and Side Rails.

    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 at any 
of the following voltage ranges: 100-115 Vac and 220-240 Vac.

    This method is available from Horiba Instruments Incorporated, 
17671 Armstrong Avenue, Irvine, CA 92714. A notice of receipt of 
application for this method appeared in the Federal Register, Volume 
60, Number 111, June 9, 1995, page 30535.
    A test analyzer representative of each of these methods has been 
tested by the respective 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 applicants, EPA has 
determined, in accordance with part 53, that these methods should be 
designated, respectively, as an 

[[Page 39383]]
equivalent method and a reference method.
    The new equivalent method for the determination of lead in 
suspended particulate matter collected from ambient air uses a graphite 
furnace atomic absorption method and is identified as follows:

EQL-0895-107, ``Determination of Lead Concentration in Ambient 
Particulate Matter by Flameless (Graphite Furnace) Atomic Absorption 
(City of Houston, Texas).''

    The applicant's request for an equivalent method determination for 
the above method was received on May 23, 1995. This method has been 
tested by the applicant, the Health and Human Services Department of 
Houston, Texas, in accordance with the test procedures prescribed 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 an 
equivalent method.
    This method uses the sampling procedure specified in the reference 
method for the determination of lead in suspended particulate matter 
collected from ambient air (43 FR 46258). Lead in the particulate 
matter is solubilized by extraction with nitric acid facilitated by 
heat. The lead content of the sample is analyzed by a Perkin Elmer HGA 
graphite furnace with Zeeman background correction and AS-40 
Autosampler. Technical questions concerning the method should be 
directed to the City of Houston, Health and Human Services Department, 
Environmental Chemistry Service, 1115 S. Braeswood, Houston, Texas 
77030.
    The information submitted by the three applicants 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 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, each method must be used in strict 
accordance with the operation or instruction manual associated with the 
method or the procedures and specifications provided in the method 
description and subject to any limitations (e.g., operating temperature 
range) specified in the applicable designation (see description of the 
methods 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 CFR part 
58 (Modifications of Methods by Users).
    In general, a designation applies to any analyzer which is 
identical to the analyzer described in the designation. In some 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 designated status at a modest cost. The manufacturer 
should be consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading. 
States or other agencies using a graphite furnace atomic absorption 
method that employs procedures and specifications significantly 
different from those in method EQL-0895-107 must seek approval for 
their particular method under the provisions of Section 2.8 of Appendix 
C to 40 CFR part 58 (Modification of Methods by Users) or may seek 
designation of such a method as an equivalent method under the 
provisions of 40 CFR part 53.
    Part 53 requires that sellers of designated method analyzers 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 analyzer 
has been canceled or if adjustment of the analyzer 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 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 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, Air Measurements 
Research Division (MD-78A), 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 part 58. Technical questions concerning any 
of the methods should be directed to the applicant. 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.
J.K. Alexander,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 95-18984 Filed 8-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M