[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18911-18912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10144]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5997-6]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods; 
Designation of Three Reference Methods for PM2.5

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of designation.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, three 
new reference methods for the measurement of PM2.5 
concentrations in the ambient air.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank F. McElroy, Human Exposure and 
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-46), National Exposure Research 
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. 
Phone: (919) 541-2622, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA announces the designation of three new 
reference methods for measuring mass concentrations of particulate 
matter as PM2.5 in the ambient air. These designations are 
made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on July 18, 
1997 (62 FR 38764). Each of the new reference methods is a manual 
monitoring method based on a particular PM2.5 sampler. The 
new methods are identified as follows:
    RFPS-0498-116, ``BGI Incorporated Model PQ200 PM2.5 
Ambient Fine Particle Sampler,'' operated with software version 1.4, 
for 24-hour continuous sample periods, in accordance with the Model 
PQ200 Instruction Manual and with the requirements and sample 
collection filters specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix L.
    RFPS-0498-117, ``Rupprecht & Patashnick Company, Incorporated 
Partisol-FRM Model 2000 PM-2.5 Air Sampler,'' operated with 
software version 1.102, with or without the optional insulating jacket 
for cold weather operation, for 24-hour continuous sample periods, in 
accordance with the Model 2000 Instruction Manual and with the 
requirements and sample collection filters specified in 40 CFR Part 50, 
Appendix L.
    RFPS-0498-118, ``Rupprecht & Patashnick Company, Incorporated 
Partisol-Plus Model 2025 PM-2.5 Sequential Air Sampler,'' 
operated with software version 1.003, for 24-hour continuous sample 
periods, in accordance with the Model 2025 Instruction Manual and with 
the requirements and sample collection filters specified in 40 CFR Part 
50, Appendix L.
    Applications for reference method determinations for these methods 
were received by the EPA on October 8, 1997 for the BGI method, and on 
October 7, 1997 for the Rupprecht & Patashnick methods. A notice of 
receipt for these applications was published in the Federal Register on 
February 10, 1998. The BGI method (RFPS-0498-116) is ``conditionally'' 
designated under the provisions of Sec. 53.51(b)(2), which allows the 
applicant up to one year following designation to complete the process 
of obtaining ISO 9001 registration of its sampler manufacturing 
facility. BGI Incorporated is currently in the very final stage of that 
registration process. This method is available commercially from the 
applicant, BGI Incorporated, 58 Guinan Street, Waltham, MA 02154. The 
other two methods listed are available commercially from the associated 
applicant, Rupprecht & Patashnick Company, Incorporated (R&P), 25 
Corporate Circle, Albany, NY 12203.
    Test samplers representative of these methods have been tested by 
the respective applicants, BGI Incorporated and R&P, in accordance with 
the 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, EPA has determined, in accordance with 
part 53, that these methods should be designated as reference methods. 
The information submitted by the 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 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 specifications and requirements set forth in Appendix L to 40 CFR 
part 50, the operation or instruction manual associated with the 
method, and the specifications and limitations (e.g., sample period) 
specified in the applicable designation method description (see 
identification of the methods above). Use of the method should also be 
in general accordance with the guidance and recommendations of Quality 
Assurance Guidance Document 2.12, which is part of the Quality 
Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume II 
(EPA/600/R-94/038b). 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, a method designation applies to any sampler or analyzer 
which is identical to the sampler or analyzer described in the 
designation. In some cases, similar samplers or 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.
    Part 53 requires that sellers of designated method analyzers or 
samplers comply with certain conditions. These conditions are given in 
40 CFR 53.9 and are summarized below for PM2.5 methods:
    (1) A copy of the approved operation or instruction manual must 
accompany the sampler or analyzer when it is delivered to the ultimate 
purchaser.
    (2) The sampler or analyzer must not generate any unreasonable 
hazard to operators or to the environment.
    (3) The sampler or analyzer must function within the limits of the 
applicable performance specifications given in parts 50 and 53 for at 
least one year after delivery when maintained and operated in 
accordance with the operation or instruction manual.
    (4) 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

[[Page 18912]]

equivalent method in accordance with part 53 and show its designated 
method identification number.
    (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 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.
    (7) 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 he may choose to sell it without such 
representation), nor to attach a label or sticker to the sampler or 
analyzer (as modified) under the provisions described above, until he 
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 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.
    (8) An applicant who offers samplers or analyzers for sale as part 
of a reference or equivalent method is required to maintain the 
manufacturing facility in which the sampler or analyzer is manufactured 
as an ISO 9001-registered facility.
    (9) An applicant who offers samplers or analyzers 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, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Human Exposure and 
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-77), U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
    Designation of these reference methods is intended to assist the 
States in establishing and operating their air quality surveillance 
systems under part 58. Questions concerning the commercial availability 
or technical aspects of any of these methods should be directed to the 
appropriate applicant.

    Dated: April 10, 1998.
Henry L. Longest II,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 98-10144 Filed 4-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U