[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28696-28698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14231]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8914-7]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

[[Page 28697]]


ACTION: Notice of the designation of 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, four 
new equivalent methods for measuring concentrations of PM2.5 
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, 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 four new equivalent 
methods for measuring concentrations of PM2.5 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).
    Two of the new equivalent methods for PM2.5 are 
automated methods (analyzers) utilizing the measurement principle based 
on filter sample collection and analysis by an inertial micro-balance 
that provides direct mass measurements in near real time. Separation of 
the PM2.5 particle size range is by a cyclone in the first 
method and by a virtual impactor in the second method. These two newly 
designated equivalent methods are identified as follows:

EQPM-0609-181, ``Thermo Scientific TEOM[supreg] 1400a Ambient 
Particular Monitor with Series 8500C FDMS\TM\,'' configured for 
PM2.5 with the US EPA PM10 inlet specified in 40 
CFR Part 50, Appendix L, Figs. L-2 thru L-19, followed by a BGI Inc. 
Very Sharp Cut Cyclone (VSCC\TM\) particle size separator, operated 
with a total actual flow of 16.67/min., loaded with Series FDMS (Filter 
Dynamics Measurement System) 8500 module operating software and an FDMS 
kit, and operated with firmware version 3.20 and later, according to 
the Thermo Scientific TEOM[supreg] 1400a Ambient Particular Monitor 
with Series 8500C FDMS\TM\ operating manual.
EQPM-0609-182, ``Thermo Scientific TEOM[supreg] 1405-DF Dichotomous 
Ambient Particular Monitor with FDMS[supreg],'' configured for dual 
filter sampling of fine (PM2.5) and coarse particles using 
the US EPA PM10 inlet specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix 
L, Figs. L-2 thru L-19 and a virtual impactor, with a total flow rate 
of 16.67 L/min, fine sample flow of 3 L/min, and coarse sample flow 
rate of 1.67 L/min, and operating with firmware version 1.50 and later, 
operated with or without external enclosures, and operated in 
accordance with the Thermo Scientific TEOM[supreg] 1405-DF Dichotomous 
Ambient Particulate Monitor Instruction Manual (designated for 
PM2.5 measurements only).

    The other two new equivalent methods for PM2.5 are 
automated methods (analyzers) utilizing the measurement principle based 
on cyclonic separation of the PM2.5 particle size range with 
filter sample collection and analysis by beta attenuation. The newly 
designated equivalent methods are identified as follows:

EQPM-0609-183, ``Thermo Scientific FH62C14-DHS Continuous Ambient 
Particle Monitor'' operated at a flow rate of 16.67 liters per minute 
for 24-hour average measurements configured for PM2.5 with a 
louvered PM10 size selective inlet as specified in 40 CFR 
Part 50, Appendix L, Figs. L-2 through L-19, a PM2.5 BGI 
Inc. Very Sharp Cut Cyclone (VSCC\TM\) particle size separator, inlet 
connector, sample tube, DHS heater with 35% RH threshold, mass foil 
kit, GF10 filter tape, 8-hour filter change, and operational 
calibration and servicing as outlined in the FH62C14-DHS Continuous 
Ambient Particulate Monitor operating manual.
EQPM-0609-184, ``Thermo Scientific Model 5030 SHARP Monitor'' operated 
at a flow rate of 16.67 liters per minute for 24-hour average 
measurements configured for PM2.5 with a louvered 
PM10 size selective inlet as specified in 40 CFR Part 50, 
Appendix L, Figs. L-2 through L-19, a PM2.5 BGI Inc. Very 
Sharp Cut Cyclone (VSCC\TM\) particle size separator, inlet connector, 
sample tube, DHS heater with 35% RH threshold, mass foil kit, GF10 
filter tape, nephelometer zeroing kit, 8-hour filter change, and 
operational calibration and servicing as outlined in the Model 5030 
SHARP instructional manual.

    Applications for equivalent method determinations for these 
candidate methods were received by the EPA on June 30, 2008 and July 
14, 2008. The monitors are commercially available from the applicant, 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Air Quality Instruments, Environmental 
Instruments Division, 27 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA 02038.
    Test analyzers 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 applicant in the 
respective applications, EPA has determined, in accordance with Part 
53, that these methods should be designated as equivalent methods. The 
information submitted by the applicant 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 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 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, 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

[[Page 28698]]

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 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 the method should be directed to 
the applicant.

    Dated: June 1, 2009.
Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. E9-14231 Filed 6-16-09; 8:45 am]
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