[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 209 (Thursday, October 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58036-58038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29015]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6181-4]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of designation and receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, a new 
reference method for measuring concentrations of PM2.5 in 
ambient air. Notice is also given that EPA has received three new 
applications for PM2.5 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 PM2.5 in ambient air. This designation 
is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on July 18, 
1997 (62 FR 38764).
    The new reference method for PM2.5 is a manual 
monitoring method based on a particular commercially available 
PM2.5 sampler. The newly designated method is identified as 
follows:

    RFPS-1098-123, ``Thermo Environmental Instruments, Incorporated 
Model 605 ``CAPS'' Computer Assisted Particle Sampler,'' configured 
as a PM2.5 reference method and operated with software 
version 1.02A, for 24-hour continuous sample periods, in accordance 
with the Model 605 Instruction Manual and with the requirements and 
sample collection filters specified in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix L.

    An application for a reference method determination for the method 
based on the Thermo Environmental Instruments Model 605 sampler was 
received by the EPA on October 8, 1997, and a notice of the receipt of 
this application (then identified as Model 605/FH95-E) was published in 
the Federal Register on February 10, 1998. The method is available 
commercially from the applicant, Thermo Environmental Instruments, 
Incorporated, 8 West Forge Parkway, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038.
    Test samplers representative of this method have been tested by the 
applicant 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 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

[[Page 58037]]

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 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 
method 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 showing 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 it may be sold without such 
representation), nor to attach a label or sticker to the sampler or 
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 
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, Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-77), 
National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
    Designation of this reference method is intended to assist the 
States in establishing and operating their air quality surveillance 
systems under 40 CFR part 58. Questions concerning the commercial 
availability or technical aspects of this method should be directed to 
the applicant.
Receipt of New Reference Method Applications
    EPA is also hereby announcing that it has received three 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.
    On July 6, 1998, EPA received an application from Andersen 
Instruments, Incorporated, 500 Technology Court, Smyrna, Georgia 30082, 
for a reference method determination for a PM2.5 method 
based on that Company's Model RAAS2.5-200 Audit Single 
Channel PM2.5 Sampler. Another application was received on 
July 27, 1998, from URG Corporation, 116 South Merritt Mill Road, 
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 for a reference method determination 
for a PM2.5 method based on that Company's Models MASS100 
Single Channel and MASS300 Multi Channel Sequential PM2.5 
Samplers. An application was received on August 10, 1998, from 
Rupprecht & Patashnick Company, Incorporated, 25 Corporate Circle, 
Albany, New York 12203 for a reference method determination for a 
PM2.5 method based on that Company's Partisol 
Model 2000 Audit Sampler.
    If, after appropriate technical study, the Administrator determines 
that any or all of these methods should be designated as reference 
methods under 40 CFR part 53, notice thereof will be published in a 
subsequent issue of the Federal Register.

Correction

    In a reference and equivalent method designation notice published 
in the Federal Register on August 3, 1998 (63 FR 41253), the 
description of one of methods designated contained an error in one of 
the measurement ranges. The correct description is as follows:

    RFNA-0798-121, ``DKK Corporation Model GLN-114E Nitrogen Oxides 
Analyzer,'' operated within a temperature range of 20 to 30 degrees 
C on any of the following measurement ranges: 0-0.050, 0-0.100, 0-
0.200, 0-0.500, and 0-1.000 ppm.

    The Model GLN-114E analyzer is available from the applicant, DKK 
Corporation, 4-13-14, Kichijoji

[[Page 58038]]

Katamachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180, Japan.
Henry L. Longest II,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 98-29015 Filed 10-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P