[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12167-12168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6033]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6239-1]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: 
Designation of a New Reference Method

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, a new 
reference method for measuring concentrations of PM2.5 in 
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: 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-0299-128, ``Andersen Instruments, Incorporated Model 
RAAS2.5-200 PM2.5 Audit Sampler,'' configured as a 
PM2.5 reference method and operated with software 
(firmware) version 4B, for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a 
flow rate of 16.67 liters/minute, in accordance with the Model 
RAAS2.5-200 Operator's 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 this 
method, based on the Andersen Instruments, Incorporated Model RAAS2.5-
200 PM2.5 Audit Sampler, was received by the EPA on July 6, 
1998, and a notice of the receipt of this application was published in 
the Federal Register on October 29, 1998. The method is available 
commercially from the applicant, Andersen Instruments, Incorporated, 
500 Technology Court, Smyrna, Georgia 30082.
    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 
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), and the specifications and requirements set forth in 
appendix L to 40 CFR part 50. Use of the method should also be in 
general accordance with the guidance and recommendations of applicable 
sections of the ``Quality Assurance Guidance Document 2.12.'' 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 
application for 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 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

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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-certified 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.
Norine E. Noonan,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 99-6033 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P