[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 45627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19055]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9184-5]


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.

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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 lead (Pb) in total 
suspended particulate matter (TSP) 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 one new equivalent 
method for measuring Pb in TSP in the ambient air. This designation is 
made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on November 12, 
2008 (73 FR 67057-67059).
    The new equivalent method for Pb is a manual method that uses the 
sampling procedure specified in the Reference Method for the 
Determination of Suspended Particulate Matter in the Atmosphere (High-
Volume Method), 40 CFR part 50, appendix B, with an alternative 
extraction and analytical procedure. The method is identified as 
follows:

EQL-0710-192, ``Heated Nitric Acid Hot Block Digestion and ICP/MS 
Analysis for Lead (Pb) on TSP High-Volume Filters.''

    In this method, total suspended particulate matter (TSP) is 
collected on glass fiber filters according to 40 CFR Appendix B to part 
50, EPA Reference Method for the Determination of Suspended Particulate 
Matter in the Atmosphere (High-Volume Method), extracted with a 
solution of nitric acid, heated on a hot block to 95[deg]C for one 
hour, and brought to a final volume of 50 mL. The lead content of the 
sample extract is analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass 
Spectrometry (ICP-MS) based on EPA Method 200.8 and SW-846 Method 
6020A.
    The application for an equivalent method determination for this 
method was submitted by the Region 9 Laboratory, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1337 South 46th Street, Bldg 201, Richmond, CA 94804 
and was received by the Office of Research and Development on March 30, 
2010.
    The analytical procedure of this method has been tested in 
accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR part 
53, as amended on November 12, 2008. After reviewing the results of 
those tests and other information submitted in the application, EPA has 
determined, in accordance with Part 53, that this method should be 
designated as an equivalent method for lead. The information 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 complete 
operating procedure (SOP) associated with the method and subject to any 
specifications and limitations specified in the procedure.
    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. 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.
    Consistent or repeated noncompliance with the method procedure/SOP 
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 technical 
aspects of the method should be directed to the applicant.

    Dated: July 26, 2010.
Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2010-19055 Filed 8-2-10; 8:45 am]
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