[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26395-26397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12789]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8909-9]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of the designation of three new reference methods and 
four new equivalent 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, three 
new reference methods and four new equivalent methods. The reference 
methods include one for measuring carbon monoxide (CO) in ambient air 
(Ecotech Serinus 30 Carbon Monoxide Analyzer) and two for measuring 
PM10-2.5 in the ambient air (a Thermo Scientific 
Partisol[supreg] Model 2000 sampler pair and a Partisol[supreg]-Plus 
Model 2025 Sequential sampler pair). The four new equivalent methods 
are two for measuring PM2.5 and two for measuring 
PM10-2.5 in the ambient air (Thermo Scientific 
Partisol[supreg] Model 2000-D, and Dichotomous Partisol[supreg]-Plus 
Model 2025-D Sequential, air samplers).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Surender Kaushik, Human Exposure and 
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-D205-03), National Exposure Research 
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. 
Phone: (919) 541-5691, 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 compliance with the NAAQSs.
    The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new reference 
method for measuring concentrations of CO, two new reference methods 
for measuring PM10-2.5, two new equivalent methods for 
measuring PM2.5, and two new equivalent methods for 
measuring PM10-2.5 in the ambient air. These designations 
are made under the provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as amended on October 
17, 2006 (71 FR 61271).
    The new reference method for CO is an automated method that 
utilizes the measurement principle based on non-dispersive infra-red 
adsorption photometry (combined with gas filter correlation) and the 
calibration procedure specified in Appendix C of 40 CFR Part 50. The 
newly designated reference method is identified as follows:

    RFCA-0509-174, ``Ecotech Serinus 30 Carbon Monoxide Analyzer'', 
operated in the range of 0-50 ppm, with a five-micron Teflon[supreg] 
filter element installed, and with the following selected: 
Background-Enabled, Control Loop-Enabled, Diagnostic Mode-Operate, 
Pres/Temp/Flow Compensation-Enabled, Span Compensation-Disabled, 
with concentration automatically corrected for temperature and 
pressure changes.

    An application for a reference method determination for this 
candidate method was received by the EPA on October 17,

[[Page 26396]]

2008. This analyzer is commercially available from the applicant, 
Ecotech Pty. Ltd., 1492 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield, Victoria, 3180, 
Australia.
    The two new PM10-2.5 reference methods are manual 
methods that each utilize a pair of filter samplers that have been 
previously designated individually as reference methods, one for 
PM2.5 and the other for PM10, and have been shown 
to meet the requirements specified in Appendix O of 40 CFR Part 50. The 
samplers of the first method are currently designated as reference 
methods RFPS-0498-117 and RFPS-1298-126 for PM2.5 and 
PM10, respectively. The samplers of the second method are 
currently designated as reference methods RFPS-0498-118 and RFPS-1298-
127 for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. These newly 
designated reference methods for PM10-2.5 are identified as 
follows:

    RFPS-0509-175, ``Thermo Scientific Partisol[supreg] Model 2000 
PM10-2.5 Sampler Pair'' for the determination of coarse particulate 
matter as PM10-2.5, consisting of a pair of Thermo 
Scientific Partisol[supreg] Model 2000 samplers, with one configured 
as a PM2.5 sampler (RFPS-0498-117) and the other 
configured as a PM10c sampler with the PM2.5 
separator replaced with a Thermo Scientific WINS Bypass Downtube 
(RFPS-1298-126), and operated in accordance with the associated 
Partisol[supreg] Model 2000 Instruction manual supplement.
    RFPS-0509-176, ``Thermo Scientific Partisol[supreg]-Plus Model 
2025 Sequential PM10-2.5 air sampler pair'' for the determination of 
coarse particulate matter as PM10-2.5, consisting of a 
pair of Thermo Scientific Partisol[supreg]-Plus Model 2025 
Sequential samplers, with one configured as a PM2.5 
sampler (RFPS-0498-118) and the other configured as a 
PM10c sampler with the PM2.5 separator 
replaced with a Thermo Scientific Partisol[supreg] 2025 Downtube 
(RFPS-1298-127), and operated in accordance with the associated 
Partisol[supreg]-Plus Model 2025 Sequential Instruction manual 
supplement.

    Applications for PM10-2.5 reference method 
determinations for these candidate methods were received by the EPA on 
April 29, 2009. The samplers are commercially available from the 
applicant, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Air Quality Instruments, 
Environmental Instruments Division, 27 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA 
02038.
    The four new PM equivalent methods are two dual-channel samplers 
that measure both PM2.5 and PM10-2.5, 
utilizing a manual, filter method (sampler) and a measurement principle 
based on PM separation in a virtual impactor, with separate fine and 
coarse filter sample collection and gravimetric analysis. The first 
sampler is a single-event sampler, and the second is a sequential-
filter device. These newly designated equivalent methods, for 
PM2.5 and PM10-2.5, are identified as 
follows:

    EQPS-0509-177 (PM2.5) and EQPS-0509-178 
(PM10-2.5), ``Thermo Scientific Partisol[supreg] 2000-D 
Dichotomous Air Sampler'', configured for dual-filter, single-event 
sampling of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10-2.5) 
particles, using a virtual impactor to separate fine and coarse PM 
into two samples for collection on two separate filter membranes, 
operated for a 24-hour sample period, in accordance with the Model 
2000-D Dichotomous Instruction Manual.
    EQPS-0509-179 (PM2.5) and EQPS-0509-180 
(PM10-2.5), ``Thermo Scientific Dichotomous 
Partisol[supreg]-Plus Model 2025-D Sequential Air Sampler'', 
configured for dual-filter sampling of fine (PM2.5) and 
coarse (PM10-2.5) particle components, using a virtual 
impactor to separate the fine and coarse PM into two samples for 
collection on two separate filter membranes, and operated with the 
modified filter shuttle mechanism implemented May 31, 2008 and 
firmware version 1.500, or later, for 24-hour continuous sample 
periods, in accordance with the Model 2025-D Sequential Dichotomous 
Instruction Manual.

    Applications for PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 
equivalent method determinations for these candidate samplers were 
received by the EPA on April 10, October 3, and October 7, 2008. The 
samplers are commercially available from the applicant, Thermo Fisher 
Scientific, Air Quality Instruments, Environmental Instruments 
Division, 27 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA 02038.
    A test analyzer and test samplers representative of these methods 
have been tested in accordance with the applicable test procedures 
specified in 40 CFR Part 53 (as amended on October 17, 2006). 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 or equivalent method, as appropriate. The 
information submitted by the applicants in the 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 designated reference or 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 and 
subject to any specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or 
operational settings) specified in the applicable designated 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, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring 
Program'' EPA-454/B-08-003, December, 2008 (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.
    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 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

[[Page 26397]]

of the methods should be directed to the appropriate applicant.

Linda S. Sheldon,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. E9-12789 Filed 6-1-09; 8:45 am]
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