[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 89 (Monday, May 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26603-26605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11430]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6601-8]


Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring 
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of Two New Reference 
Methods for PM2.5 and Four New Equivalent Methods for 
O3, SO2, NO2, and Pb

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of designation.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, two new 
reference methods for measuring concentrations of PM2.5 and 
four new equivalent methods for measuring concentrations of 
O3, SO2, NO2, and Pb (respectively) 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, NC 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 
for determining attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards. EPA hereby announces the designation of two new reference 
methods for measuring

[[Page 26604]]

concentrations of PM2.5 in ambient air and four new 
equivalent methods for measuring O3, SO2, 
NO2, and Pb (respectively) 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 PM2.5 are manual 
monitoring methods based on particular, commercially available 
PM2.5 samplers. The newly designated methods are identified 
as follows:

RFPS-0400-135, ``URG-MASS100 Single PM 2.5 FRM Sampler,'' operated with 
software (firmware) version 4B or 5.0.1, configured for ``Single 2.5'' 
operation, for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a flow rate of 
16.67 liters/minute, and in accordance with the URG-MASS100 Operator's 
Manual and with the requirements and sample collection filters 
specified in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix L.
RFPS-0400-136, ``URG-MASS300 Sequential PM 2.5 FRM Sampler,'' operated 
with software (firmware) version 4B or 5.0.1, configured for ``Multi 
2.5'' operation, for 24-hour continuous sample periods at a flow rate 
of 16.67 liters/minute, and in accordance with the URG-MASS300 
Operator's Manual and with the requirements and sample collection 
filters specified in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix L.

    The application for reference method determinations for these 
methods was received by EPA on July 27, 1998, and a notice of the 
receipt of the application was published in the Federal Register on 
October 29, 1998. The methods are available commercially from the 
applicant, URG Corporation, 116 S. Merritt Mill Road, Chapel Hill, NC 
27516.
    The new equivalent methods for O3, SO2, and 
NO2 are automated methods (analyzers) that utilize a 
measurement principle based on differential optical absorption 
spectroscopy (DOAS) and measure pollutant concentrations directly in 
the atmosphere over a long, open path up to 500 meters in length, using 
a particular commercially available monitoring system. These newly 
designated methods are identified as follows:

EQOA-0400-137, Environnement S.A. Model SANOA Multigas Longpath Air 
Quality Monitoring System, consisting of a receiver, one or more 
projectors, interface unit, a user-provided control unit computer 
running the SANOA VisionAIR software, and associated incidental 
equipment; configured for measuring O3, with the 
temperature control and internal calibration cell options installed, 
operated with a measurement range of 0 to 0.5 ppm, over an installed 
monitoring path length of between 27 and 500 meters, within an 
ambient air temperature range of -30 to +45 deg.C, with a 
measurement (integrating) time of 180 seconds, and with or without 
external temperature and barometric pressure sensors or any of the 
following options: external (meteo) input connection, series 1M bus 
connection, OGR type projector, analog outputs. A high-concentration 
ozone generator, part # 80-231-03, or the SONIMIX 7121B calibration 
system is recommended for calibration or accuracy auditing.

EQSA-0400-138, Environnement S.A. Model SANOA Multigas Longpath Air 
Quality Monitoring System, consisting of a receiver, one or more 
projectors, interface unit, a user-provided control unit computer 
running the SANOA VisionAIR software, and associated incidental 
equipment; configured for measuring SO2, with the 
temperature control and internal calibration cell options installed, 
operated with a measurement range of 0 to 0.5 ppm, over an installed 
monitoring path length of between 27 and 500 meters, within an 
ambient air temperature range of -30 to +45 deg.C, with a 
measurement (integrating) time of 180 seconds, and with or without 
external temperature and barometric pressure sensors or any of the 
following options: external (meteo) input connection, series 1M bus 
connection, OGR type projector, analog outputs.

EQNA-0400-139, Environnement S.A. Model SANOA Multigas Longpath Air 
Quality Monitoring System, consisting of a receiver, one or more 
projectors, interface unit, a user-provided control unit computer 
running the SANOA VisionAIR software, and associated incidental 
equipment; configured for measuring NO2, with the 
temperature control and internal calibration cell options installed, 
operated with a measurement range of 0 to 0.5 ppm, over an installed 
monitoring path length of between 27 and 500 meters, within an 
ambient air temperature range of -30 to +45 deg.C, with a 
measurement (integrating) time of 180 seconds, and with or without 
external temperature and barometric pressure sensors or any of the 
following options: external (meteo) input connection, series 1M bus 
connection, OGR type projector, analog outputs.

    Applications for equivalent method determinations for these methods 
were received by EPA on February 17, 1999, June 28, 1999, and July 23, 
1999, respectively. A notice of the receipt of these applications was 
published in the Federal Register on October 12, 1999. The methods are 
available commercially from the applicant, Environnement S.A., 111 
Boulevard Robespierre, 78304 Poissy, France.
    The new equivalent method for lead (Pb) is a manual method that 
uses the sampling procedure specified in the Reference Method for the 
Determination of Lead in Suspended Particulate Matter Collected from 
Ambient Air (40 CFR part 50, Appendix G), with an alternative 
analytical procedure. The method is identified as follows:

EQL-0400-140, ``Determination of Lead Concentration in Ambient 
Particulate Matter by Inductively Coupled Plasma--Atomic Emission 
Spectrometry (TNRCC).''

    The application for an equivalent method determination for this 
method was submitted by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation 
Commission Laboratory, 5144 E. Sam Houston Parkway N., Houston, TX 
77030 and was received by the EPA on March 1, 2000.
    Test samplers, test analyzers, or the analytical procedure 
representative of each 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 each of these methods should be designated as a reference or 
equivalent method, as appropriate. 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 and equivalent methods, these methods are 
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, each method must be used in strict accordance with 
the operation or instruction manual associated with the method, any 
specifications and limitations (e.g., sample period, flow rate, or path 
length) specified in the applicable method designation description (see 
identifications of the methods above), and the specifications and 
requirements set forth in Appendixes G, or L to 40 CFR part 50, as 
applicable. 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'' and the ``Quality 
Assurance Handbook, Volume II'' (both available at www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic). 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

[[Page 26605]]

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 perfor-mance 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 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 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 these new reference and equivalent 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.

Norine E. Noonan,
Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 00-11430 Filed 5-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P