[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 74 (Monday, April 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19153-19155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9720]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6328-3]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of designation and receipt of application.

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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 PM 2.5 in 
ambient air. Notice is also given that EPA has received a new 
application for an equivalent method determination from Environnement 
S.A., Poissy, France for a long path monitoring system for ozone.

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: mcelroy.frank@epamail,epa.gov.

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

[[Page 19154]]

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 for determining 
attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. EPA hereby 
announces the designation of a new reference method for measuring PM 
2.5 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-0499-129, ``Rupprecht & Patashnick Company, Inc. 
Partisol Model 2000 PM-2.5 Audit Sampler,'' configured as 
a PM2.5 reference method and operated with software 
(firmware) version 1.2, for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a 
flow rate of 16.67 liters/minute, in accordance with the 
Partisol Model 2000 Operating 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 Rupprecht & Patashnick Company, Inc. Partisol 
Model 2000 PM2.5 Audit Sampler was received by the EPA on 
August 10, 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, Rupprecht & Patashnick 
Company, Inc., 25 Corporate Circle, Albany, New York 12203.
    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 flow rate) 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 the approved 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-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.

[[Page 19155]]

Receipt of New Application

    EPA is also hereby announcing that it has received a new 
application for an equivalent method determination under 40 CFR part 
53. Publication of a notice of receipt of such applications is required 
by section 53.5.
    On February 17, 1999, EPA received an application for an equivalent 
method determination from Environnement S.A, 111 bd Robespierre, BP 
4513, 78304 Poissy Cedex, France for that Company's SANOA Multigas 
Longpath Air Quality Monitoring System for monitoring ozone in the 
atmosphere. If, after appropriate technical study, the Administrator 
determines that this method should be designated as an equivalent 
method under 40 CFR part 53, notice thereof will be published in a 
subsequent issue of the Federal Register.
Norine E. Noonan,
Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 99-9720 Filed 4-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M