[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 77 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 19740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9594]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 50

[AD-FRL-6326-6]
RIN 2060-AI48


Revisions to Reference Method for the Determination of Fine 
Particulate Matter as PM2.5 in the Atmosphere

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: A new national network of fine particulate monitors is being 
established over the next two years. In order to assure that monitoring 
data are of the highest quality and are comparable both within and 
between air monitoring agencies, many specific design and performance 
requirements were detailed in 40 CFR part 50, appendix L. Other 
requirements were set forth in documents such as section 2.12 of the 
``Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, 
Volume II, Ambient Air Specific Methods,'' EPA/600/R-94/038b.
    This action proposes to revise two requirements for measurement of 
fine particulate in 40 CFR part 50. For transport of exposed filters 
from the sample location to the conditioning environment, 40 CFR part 
50 will no longer specify that the protective shipping container be 
made of metal. For verification of sampler flow rate, 40 CFR part 50 
will now specify that new calibrations shall be performed if the 
reading of the sampler's flow rate indicator or measurement device 
differs by more than +/-4 percent or more from the flow rate measured 
by the flow rate standard. The flow rate verification tolerance was 
previously set at +/-2 percent. Because the Agency views this action as 
a noncontroversial amendment and anticipates no adverse comments, the 
EPA is approving the amendment to 40 CFR part 50 as a direct final rule 
without prior proposal. A detailed rationale for this action is set 
forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in 
response to that direct final rule, no further activity is contemplated 
in relation to this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, 
the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments 
received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this 
proposed rule. The EPA will not institute a second comment period on 
this action.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 24, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted (in duplicate, if possible) to: 
Air Docket (A-95-54), US Environmental Protection Agency, Attn: Docket 
No. A-95-54, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Hanley, Emissions, Monitoring, and 
Analysis Division (MD-14), Office of Air Quality Planning and 
Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle 
Park, North Carolina 27711, Telephone: (919) 541-4417, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For additional information, see the direct 
final rule which is published in the rules section of this Federal 
Register.

    Dated: April 9, 1999.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-9594 Filed 4-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P