[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42089-42091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11820]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8203-3]


Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring 
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of Two New Reference 
Methods

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of the designation of two new reference methods 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, two new 
reference methods, one each for measuring concentrations of particulate 
matter as PM10 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 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

[[Page 42090]]

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 two new reference 
methods for measuring concentrations of PM10 and 
NO2 in the 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 method for PM10 is a manual method 
that is based on a particular, commercially available high volume 
PM10 sampler, as specified in appendix J of 40 CFR part 50. 
The newly designated reference method is identified as follows: RFPS-
0706-162, Ecotech Pty. Ltd. Model 3000 PM10 High Volume Air 
Sampler, configured with the Ecotech PM10 Size-Selective 
Inlet (SSI) (P-ECO-HVS3000-02), with the flow rate set to 1.13 
m3/min (67.8 m3/hour).
    An application for a reference method determination for the method 
based on this Ecotech sampler was received by the EPA on November 29, 
2005. The sampler is available commercially from the applicant, Ecotech 
Pty. Ltd., 12 Apollo Court, Blackburn, Victoria 3130, Australia.
    The new reference method for NO2 is an automated method 
(analyzer) that utilizes the measurement principle (gas phase 
chemiluminescence) and calibration procedure specified in appendix F of 
40 CFR part 50. This newly designated NO2 reference method 
is identified as follows: RFNA-0706-0163, ``Seres Model NOX 
2000 G Nitrogen Dioxide Ambient Air Analyzer'' operated with a full 
scale measurement range of 0-0.50 ppm, at any ambient temperature in 
the range of 20 [deg]C to 30 [deg]C.
    An application for a reference method determination for the Seres 
Model NOX 2000 G was received by the EPA on January 19, 
2006. The analyzer is available commercially from the applicant, Seres, 
360, Rue Louis de Broglie, La Duranne BP 87000, 13793 Aix en Provence, 
Cedex 3, France (http://www.seres-france.com).
    Samplers or a test analyzer representative of each of these methods 
have been tested 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 applicants in the respective applications, EPA has determined, in 
accordance with part 53, that each of these methods should be 
designated as a reference method. The information submitted by the 
applicants in their respective applications 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, each of these 
methods 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 identifications of the methods 
above).
    Use of each 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 (available 
at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qabook.html). 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.
    (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

[[Page 42091]]

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 58. Questions concerning the 
commercial availability or technical aspects of the method should be 
directed to the applicant.

 Jewel F. Morris,
 Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. E6-11820 Filed 7-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P