[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13224-13225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4905]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8541-1]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

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

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, one new 
equivalent method for measuring concentrations of particulate matter as 
PM2.5 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 
PM2.5 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 for PM2.5 is an automated 
method (sampler) that utilizes a measurement principle based on filter 
sample collection and analysis by beta-ray attenuation. The newly 
designated equivalent method is identified as follows: EQPM-0308-170, 
``Met One Instruments, Inc. BAM-1020 Beta Attenuation Mass Monitor--
PM2.5 FEM Configuration, configured with a PM2.5 
particle size separator,'' operated for 24 hour average measurements 
with firmware revision 3.2.4 or later, with or without an inlet tube 
extension (BX-823), with or without external enclosures BX-902 or BX-
903, in accordance with the BAM 1020 Particulate Monitor operation 
manual, revision F or later, and equipped with BX-596 ambient 
temperature and barometric pressure combination sensor, internal BX-961 
automatic flow controller operated in Actual (volumetric) flow control 
mode, the standard BX-802 EPA PM10 inlet head and a 
PM2.5 very sharp cut cyclone (BX-808), BX-827 (110V) or BX-
830 (230V) Smart Inlet Heater, with the heater RH set to 35% and the 
temperature control set to ``off'', the 8470-1 revision D or later tape 
control transport assembly with close geometry beta source 
configuration, used with standard glass fiber filter tape, COUNT TIME 
parameter set for 8 minutes, the SAMPLE TIME parameter set for 42

[[Page 13225]]

minutes, BX-302 zero filter calibration kit required.
    An application for an equivalent method determination for the 
candidate method was received by the EPA on September 19, 2007. The 
sampler is commercially available from the applicant, Met One 
Instruments, Inc., 1600 Washington Boulevard, Grants Pass, Oregon 07526 
(http://www.metone.com).
    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, 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 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 designated 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 
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. E8-4905 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P