[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76174-76175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31241]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7420-2]


Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring 
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of a New Equivalent 
Method for PM10

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of the designation of a new equivalent method for 
monitoring ambient air quality.

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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 
equivalent method for measuring concentrations of particulate matter as 
PM10 in the ambient air.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Hunike, Human Exposure and 
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-D205-03), National Exposure Research 
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. 
Phone: (919) 541-3737, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with regulations at 40 CFR 
part 53, the EPA evaluates various methods for monitoring the 
concentrations of those ambient air pollutants for which EPA has 
established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQSs) as set 
forth in 40 CFR part 50. Monitoring methods that are determined to meet 
specific requirements for adequacy are designated by the EPA as either 
reference methods or equivalent methods (as applicable), thereby 
permitting their use under 40 CFR part 58 by States and other agencies 
for determining attainment of the NAAQSs.
    The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new equivalent 
method for measuring concentrations of particulate matter as 
PM10 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 equivalent method for PM10 is an automated 
method (analyzer) that utilizes a measurement principle based on sample 
collection by filtration and analysis by beta-ray attenuation. The 
newly designated equivalent method is identified as follows:

    EQPM-1102-150, ``Thermo Andersen Series FH 62 C14 Continuous 
PM10 Ambient Particulate Monitor,'' operated for 24-hour average 
measurements, with the specified 10-micron Inlet, Inlet Connector, 
Sample Tube with heater, Roof Flange Kit, Mass Foil Kit, Pump Kit, 
Sample Filter Tape; with Operational Settings of 1000 L/h (16.67 L/
min) sample flow rate, daily filter change, auto filter change at 
volumetric flow < 950 L/h, auto filter change at Mass  
1500 micrograms, and factory default calculation mode settings; and 
with operational calibration and servicing as outlined in the 
Operator Manual.

    An application for an equivalent method determination for this 
method was received by the EPA on August 5, 2002. The method is 
available commercially from the applicant, Thermo Anderson, 500 
Technology Court, Smyrna, Georgia 30082 (http://www.ThermoAndersen.com).
    Test analyzers representative of this method have been tested by 
the applicant in accordance with the applicable 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 an equivalent method. The 
information submitted by the applicant will be kept on file, either at 
EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, 
North Carolina 27711 or in an approved archive storage facility, and 
will be available for inspection (with advance notice) to the extent 
consistent with 40 CFR part 2 (EPA's regulations implementing the 
Freedom of Information Act).
    As a designated reference or equivalent 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 and 
subject to any specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or 
operational settings) specified in the applicable designation method 
description (see the identification of the method above).
    Users of the method should also note that its equivalent method 
designation applies only to 24-hour average PM10 
concentration measurements. The Series FH 62 C14 Monitor can also 
provide average PM10 concentration measurements over other, 
shorter averaging periods, including one-half-hour averages. However, 
such shorter average concentration measurements may be less precise 
than the 24-hour measurements and are not required for use in 
determining attainment under the air quality surveillance requirements 
of part 58 (although they may be useful for other purposes). 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 I,'' EPA/600/R-
94/038a and ``Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement 
Systems, Volume II, Part 1,'' EPA-454/R-98-004. 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 (Modifications of Methods by Users) of 
appendix C to 40 CFR part 58.
    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 or 
converted (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. The manufacturer 
should be consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading or 
conversion.
    Part 53 requires that sellers of designated reference or equivalent 
method analyzers or samplers comply with certain conditions. These 
conditions are specified 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.

[[Page 76175]]

    (c) The sampler or analyzer must function within the limits of the 
applicable performance specifications given in 40 CFR 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 designation 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.
    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-
E205-01), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
    Designation of this new equivalent 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 the method should be directed to 
the applicant.

Jewell Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 02-31241 Filed 12-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P