[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69624-69626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33480]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6204-6]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: 
Designation of Four New Reference Methods 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, four 
new reference methods for the determination of ambient concentrations 
of particulate matter measured as PM10. Notice is also given 
that EPA has received three new applications for reference method 
determinations under 40 CFR Part 53, one for a candidate method for 
PM2.5 and two for candidate methods for PM10.


[[Page 69625]]


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 four new reference 
methods 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 methods for PM10 are manual, 
gravimetric monitoring methods based on particular commercially 
available PM10 samplers. The newly designated methods are 
identified as follows:
    RFPS-1298-124, ``BGI Incorporated Model PQ100 Air Sampler'' with 
BGI16.7 Inlet Kit, configured as a PM10 reference method, 
for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a flow rate of 16.7 liters/
minute, and operated in accordance with the Model PQ100 Instruction 
Manual and with the requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix 
J or Appendix M, using either the original or the newer PQ200-type 
filter cassettes.
    RFPS-1298-125, ``BGI Incorporated Model PQ200 Air Sampler'' with 
``flat plate'' PM10 inlet, configured as a PM10 
reference method, and operated for 24-hour continuous sample periods in 
accordance with the Model PQ200 Instruction Manual and with the 
requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J or Appendix M.
    RFPS-1298-126, ``Rupprecht and Patashnick Company 
Partisol-FRM Model 2000 PM10 Air Sampler'' with 
PM10 inlet, configured as a PM10 reference 
method, and operated for 24-hour continuous sample periods in 
accordance with the Model 2000 Instruction Manual and with the 
requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J or Appendix M.
    RFPS-1298-127, ``Rupprecht and Patashnick Company 
Partisol-Plus Model 2025 PM10 Sequential Air 
Sampler'' with PM10 inlet, configured as a PM10 
reference method, and operated for 24-hour continuous sample periods in 
accordance with the Model 2025 Instruction Manual and with the 
requirements specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J or Appendix M.
    An application for a reference method determination for the method 
based on the BGI Model PQ100 sampler was received by the EPA on May 4, 
1998, and an application for the BGI Model PQ200 sampler method was 
received on June 1, 1998. A notice of the receipt of these applications 
was published in the Federal Register on August 3, 1998. The methods 
are available commercially from the applicant, BGI Incorporated, 58 
Guinan Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02154.
    Applications for the reference method determinations for the 
methods based on the Rupprecht and Patashnick Company 
Partisol-FRM Model 2000 and Partisol-Plus Model 
2025 were received by the EPA on February 3, 1998, and a notice of the 
receipt of these applications was published in the Federal Register on 
June 2, 1998. These methods are available commercially from the 
applicant, Rupprecht and Patashnick Company, Incorporated, 25 Corporate 
Circle, Albany, New York 12203.
    Test samplers representative 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 respective 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 designated reference methods, 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 and 
subject to any limitations (e.g., sample period or flow rate) 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 Part 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

[[Page 69626]]

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 Part 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 Part 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 Part 53.8(b) of a new reference or equivalent method 
determination for the sampler or analyzer as modified.
    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 these reference methods 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 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 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 September 14, 1998, EPA received an application from Thermo 
Environmental Instruments, Incorporated, 8 West Forge Parkway, 
Franklin, Massachusetts 02038, for a reference method determination for 
a PM2.5 method based on that Company's Model 606 CAPS 
Sequential PM2.5 Sampler. Another application was received 
on September 18, 1998, from Anderson Instruments, Incorporated, 500 
Technology Court, Smyrna, Georgia 30082, for a reference method 
determination for PM10 methods based on that Company's 
Models RAAS10-100 Single Channel PM10 Sampler, RAAS10-200 
Audit PM10 Sampler, and RAAS10-300 Sequential 
PM10 Sampler. An application was received on September 24, 
1998, from Tisch Environmental, Incorporated, 145 South Miami Avenue, 
Village of Cleves, Ohio 45002, for a reference method determination for 
a PM10 method based on that Company's Model TE-6001 High 
Volume PM10 Air 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.

    Dated: December 10, 1998.
Norine E. Noonan,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 98-33480 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
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