[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41253-41254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20612]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6133-3]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: 
Designation of a Reference Method and an Equivalent Method, and Receipt 
of Two New Applications for Reference Method Determinations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of designations and receipt of applications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notification is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, a new 
reference method for measuring concen-trations of NO2 in 
ambient air and a new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of 
PM10 in ambient air. Notification is also given that EPA has 
received two new applications for PM10 reference method 
determinations under 40 CFR part 53.

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: In accordance with regulations at 40 CFR 
part 53, the EPA examines various methods for monitoring the 
concentrations of certain pollutants in the ambient air. Methods that 
are determined to meet specific requirements for adequacy are 
designated as either reference or equivalent methods, thereby 
permitting their use under 40 CFR part 58 by States and other agencies 
in determining attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards. EPA hereby announces the designation of a new reference 
method for measuring NO2 in ambient air and a new equivalent 
method for measuring PM10 in ambient air. These designations 
are made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on July 18, 
1997 (62 FR 38764).
    The new reference method for NO2 is an automated method 
(analyzer) that utilizes the reference method measurement principle 
based on the chemiluminescent reaction between nitric oxide and ozone 
and the associated calibration procedure specified in Appendix F of 40 
CFR part 50. The new equivalent method for PM10 is an 
automated monitoring method that utilizes a measurement principle based 
on sample collection by filtration and analysis by beta-ray 
attenuation. The newly designated methods are identified as follows:

    RFNA-0798-121, ``DKK Corporation Model GLN-114E Nitrogen Oxides 
Ana-lyzer,'' operated within a temperature range of 20 to 30 degrees 
C on any of the following measurement ranges: 0-0.005, 0-0.100, 0-
0.200, 0-0.500, and 0-1.000 ppm.
    EQPM-0798-122, ``Met One Instruments Models BAM 1020, GBAM 1020, 
BAM 1020-1, and GBAM 1020-1 PM10 Beta Attenuation Monitor,'' 
including the BX-802 sampling inlet, operated for 24-hour average 
measurements, with a filter change frequency of one hour, with glass 
fiber filter tape, and with or without any of the following options: 
BX-823, tube extension; BX-825, heater kit; BX-826, 230 Vac heater 
kit; BX-828, roof tripod; BX-902, exterior enclosure; BX-903, 
exterior enclosure with temperature control; BX-961, mass flow 
controller; and BX-967, internal calibration device.

    An application for a reference method determination for the DKK 
Model GLN-114E NO2 method was received by EPA on April 14, 
1998, and a notice of the receipt of this application was published in 
the Federal Register on June 2, 1998. The Model GLN-114E analyzer is 
available from the applicant, DKK Corporation, 4-13-14, Kichijoji 
Katamachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180, Japan.
    An application for an equivalent method determination for the Met 
One PM10 method was received by the EPA on September 12, 
1997, and a notice of the receipt of this application was published in 
the Federal Register on December 16, 1997. The method is available 
commercially from the applicant, Met One Instruments, Inc., 1600 
Washington Boulevard, Grants Pass, OR 97526.
    Test analyzers representative of each of these methods have been 
tested by the respective applicants 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 and 
equivalent methods,

[[Page 41254]]

respectively. 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 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, the method must be used in strict 
accordance with the operation or instruction manual associated with the 
method, the specifications and limitations (e.g., sample period or 
measurement range) 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 applicable sections of the Quality Assurance 
Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume II (EPA/600/R-
94/038b). Vendor modifications of a designated reference or 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 
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 application. 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 reference or equivalent 
method analyzers or samplers comply with certain conditions. These 
conditions are given 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 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 show 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 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 sampler or analyzer as 
modified.
    (h) An applicant who offers PM2.5 samplers for sale as 
part of a reference or equivalent method is required to maintain the 
manufacturing facility in which the sampler is manufactured as an ISO 
9001-registered facility.
    (i) An applicant who offers PM2.5 samplers 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 and equivalent 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.
Receipt of New Reference Method Applications
    EPA is also hereby announcing that it has received two new 
applications for reference method determinations under 40 CFR part 53. 
Publication of a notice of receipt of such applications is required by 
Sec. 53.5.
    The new applications were received from BGI Incorporated, 58 Guinan 
Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02154, for reference method 
determinations for that Company's Model PQ-100 PM10 Ambient Particulate 
Sampler (application received on May 4, 1998) and for its Model PQ-200 
Ambient Fine Particle Sampler (application received on June 1, 1998). 
If, after appropriate technical study, the Administrator determines 
that either or both of these methods should be designated as reference 
methods, notice thereof will be published in a subsequent issue of the 
Federal Register.

    Dated: July 23, 1998
Henry L. Longest II,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 98-20612 Filed 7-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P