[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 90 (Thursday, May 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26627-26628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2317]


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ENVIRONMNETAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRI-8311-8]


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

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 sulfur dioxide 
(SO2) 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 a new equivalent method 
for measuring concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the 
ambient air. This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR 
Part 53, as amended on December 18, 2006 (71 FR 61271).
    The new equivalent method is an automated method (analyzer) that 
utilizes a measurement principle based on ultraviolet fluorescence. The 
newly designated equivalent SO2 method is identified as 
follows:

    EQSA-0507-166, ``SIR, S.A. Model S-5001 U.V. Fluorescence 
SO2 Analyzer, '' operated with a full-scale measurement 
range of 0-0.5 ppm, with an integration time setting of 1 minute, 
and with or without an optional PCMCIA Card or the optional Internal 
Span permeation oven.

    An application for an equivalent method determination for the 
candidate method based on this SO2 analyzer was received by 
the EPA on October 4, 2006. The sampler is commercially available from 
the applicant, SIR USA, 826 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22302-
3605 or from SIR Spain, Avenida de la Industria, 3; 28760 Tres Cantos 
(Madrid), Spain.
    A test analyzer representative of this method has been tested in 
accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR Part 
53 (as amended on December 18, 2006). After reviewing the results of 
those tests and other information submitted by the applicant in the 
application, EPA has determined, in accordance with Part 53, that this 
method should be designated as an equivalent method. The information 
submitted by the applicant in the application 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. That information will be made available for inspection (upon 
request and 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 identifications of the method above).
    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 (available 
at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qabook.html). Vendor modifications of a 
designate 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 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 as 
been designated as part of a reference or equivalent method in 
accordance with Part 53 and showing its designated method 
identification number.

[[Page 26628]]

    (e) If such an analyzer has two or ore selectable ranges, the label 
or sticker must be placed in close proximity to the range selector and 
indicator 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 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 an 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 breakdown 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.

Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 07-2317 Filed 5-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M