[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 113 (Monday, June 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28241-28242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14022]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8919-2]


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 PM10-2.5 
in the ambient air.

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, email: [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 a new equivalent method 
for measuring concentrations of PM10-2.5 in the ambient air. 
This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as 
amended on October 17, 2006 (71 FR 61271).
    The new PM10-2.5 equivalent method utilizes a pair of 
FEM samplers (EQPM-0308-170), one configured to measure 
PM2.5 and the other to measure PM10. This 
automated monitoring method 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-0709-185, ``Met One Instruments BAM-1020 PM10-2.5 
Measurement System,'' consisting of 2 BAM-1020 monitors, the first 
of which (PM2.5 measurement) is configured as a 
PM2.5 FEM (EQPM-0308-170). The second BAM-1020 monitor 
(PM10 measurement) is configurable as a PM2.5 
FEM (EQPM-0308-170), but set to monitor PM10. The BAM-
1020 monitors are collocated to within 1-4 meters of one another. 
The BAM-1020 performing the PM2.5 measurement is equipped 
with Met One Instruments, Inc. P/N BX-Coarse interface board and 
accessories; the units are interconnected to provide concurrent 
sampling and to report PM10-2.5 concentrations directly 
to the user. Both units are operated in accordance with BAM-1020 PM-
Coarse Addendum Rev. 5-5 or later and the BAM-1020 Operations Manual 
Rev. D or later.

    The application for equivalent method determination for this 
candidate method was received by the EPA on January 22, 2009. The 
monitor is commercially available from the applicant, Met One 
Instruments, Inc., 1600 Washington Blvd., Grants Pass, OR 97526.
    Test analyzers representative of this method 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 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 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, 
this 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 identification 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, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring 
Program'' EPA-454/B-08-003,

[[Page 28242]]

December, 2008 (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.
    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. E9-14022 Filed 6-12-09; 8:45 am]
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