[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11404-11405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6720]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5440-7]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods; 
Reference and Equivalent Method Designations

    Notice is hereby given that the EPA, in accordance with 40 CFR part 
53, has designated one additional reference method and two additional 
equivalent methods for ambient air monitoring. The reference method is 
for the measurement of ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. The 
first equivalent method is for the measurement of ambient 
concentrations of ozone. The other equivalent is for the determination 
of lead in suspended particulate matter collected from ambient air.
    The new reference method for nitrogen dioxide is an automated 
method (analyzer) which utilizes the measurement principle based on the 
chemiluminescent reaction between nitric oxide and ozone and the 
calibration procedure specified in Appendix F of 40 CFR part 50. This 
new designated method is identified as follows:
    RFNA-0196-111, ``Horiba Instruments, Incorporated Model APNA-360 
Ambient NO-NO2-NOx Monitor,'' operated with a full scale 
range of 0-0.5 ppm, at any temperature in the range of 10  deg.C to 40 
deg.C, with a Line Setting of ``MEASURE'', and an Analog Output of 
``MONETARY VALUE'', and with or without the optional Rack Mounting 
Plate and Side Rails.
    The new equivalent method for ozone is an automated method 
(analyzer) which utilizes the measurement principle based on the 
absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone at a wavelength of 254 nm 
and the calibration procedure specified in Appendix C of 40 CFR part 
50. This new designated method is identified as follows:
    EQOA-0196-112, ``Horiba Instruments, Incorporated Model APOA-360 
Ambient Ozone Monitor,'' operated with a full scale range of 0-0.5 ppm, 
at any temperature in the range of 10  deg.C to 40  deg.C, with a Line 
Setting of ``MEASURE'', and an Analog Output of ``MOMENTARY VALUE'', 
and with or without the optional Rack Mounting Plate and Side Rails.
    These two automated methods are available from Horiba Instruments, 
Incorporated, 17671 Armstrong Avenue, Irvine, California 92714. The 
applications for designation of these nitrogen dioxide and ozone 
methods were received on September 15, 1995 and August 21, 1995 
respectively.
    A test analyzer representative of each of these methods has been 
tested by the applicant, in accordance with the test procedures 
specified in 40 CFR part 53. 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 new equivalent method for the determination of lead in 
suspended particulate matter collected from ambient air is identified 
as follows:
    EQL-0196-113, ``Determination of Lead Concentration in Ambient 
particulate Matter by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma-Optical Emission 
Spectrometry (Doe Run Company).''
    The applicant's request for an equivalent method determination for 
the above method was received on July 11, 1995. This method has been 
tested by the applicant, the Doe Run Company, Smelting Division, 
Herculaneum, Missouri, 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 (40 CFR 50, Appendix G). In this method, 
lead in the particulate matter is solubilized by extraction with nitric 
acid facilitated by heat. The lead content of the sample extract is 
analyzed with a Baird ICP 2000 inductively coupled argon plasma--
optical emission spectrometer operating at a frequency of 40.68 MHz and 
using the 220.353 nm lead adsortion line. The instrumental operating 
conditions have been optimized by the user-laboratory. Technical 
questions concerning this method should be directed to the Doe Run 
Company, Smelting Division, 881 Main Street, Herculaneum, Missouri 
63048.
    The information submitted by these 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,

[[Page 11405]]

Ambient Air Quality Surveillance. For such purposes, the method must be 
used in strict accordance with the operation or instuction 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 identification of the methods above). Vendor 
modifications of a designated 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, an automated method 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 wishing to use a method 
similar to the new lead equivalent method that employs procedures and 
specifications significantly different from those in EQL-0196-113 must 
seek specific 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 agencies 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 part 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 notice under 40 CFR part 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 breakdown 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.
    Desingation 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 appropriate 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.
Joseph K. Alexander,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 96-6720 Filed 3-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M