[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15974-15975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6681]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9285-2]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

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: One each for measuring concentrations of 
PM2.5 and lead (Pb) and two for measuring concentrations of 
PM10 in the ambient air.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Vanderpool, Human Exposure and 
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-D205-03), National Exposure Research 
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. 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 pollutant concentrations in the ambient air: One 
for PM2.5, one for Pb, and two for PM10. These 
designations are made under the provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as 
amended on June 22, 2010 (75 FR 35597).
    The new PM2.5 equivalent method is an automated 
monitoring method (analyzer) utilizing a measurement principle based on 
active sampling of ambient aerosols and contemporaneous analysis by 
means of a light-scattering technique for determination of particle 
size and mass concentration. The newly designated equivalent method is 
identified as follows:

    EQPM-0311-195, ``Grimm Technologies, Inc. Model EDM 180 
PM2.5 Monitor,'' light scattering continuous ambient 
particulate monitor operated for 24 hours at a volumetric flow rate 
of 1.2 L/min, configured with a Nafion[reg]-type air sample dryer, 
complete for operation with firmware version 7.80 or later, in 
accordance with the Grimm Technologies, Inc. Model EDM 180 Operation 
and Instruction Manual. The optional graphic presentation can be 
made with the software model 1.177 version 3.30 or later.

    The application for an equivalent method determination for this 
candidate method was received by the EPA on April 6, 2010. The monitor 
is commercially available from the applicant, GRIMM Technologies, Inc., 
5833 Stewart Parkway, Suite 203, Douglasville, GA 30153.
    It should be noted that this Grimm Model EDM 180 PM2.5 
Monitor is not only a semi-continuous PM2.5 analyzer but it 
is also the first equivalent method designated by EPA that is based on 
an optical measurement technique and, further, one that does not 
involve inertial separation of particles in the PM2.5 size 
range or collection of the PM2.5 on a particle filter. 
Because this new measurement approach is being approved for NAAQS 
compliance measurements for the first time, users are encouraged to 
consider the special nature of this method when introducing it into a 
SLAMS PM2.5 monitoring network. The EPA Regional Offices can offer 
guidance in this regard.
    The new equivalent method for Pb is a manual method that uses the 
sampling procedure specified in the EPA Reference Method for total 
suspended particulate matter (TSP) (High-Volume Method, 40 CFR Part 50, 
Appendix B), with a particular extraction and analytical procedure. The 
method is identified as follows:

    EQL-0311-196, ``Heated Ultrasonic Nitric and Hydrochloric Acid 
Digestion and ICP/AES Analysis for Lead (Pb) on TSP High-Volume 
Filters.'' A sample of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) is 
collected on a glass fiber filter, using the sampler and procedure 
of the EPA Reference Method for the Determination of Suspended 
Particulate Matter in the Atmosphere (High-Volume Method) (40 CFR 
50, Appendix B). The TSP sample is extracted with a solution of 
nitric and hydrochloric acid, heated in an ultrasonic bath to 80 
[deg]C for one hour, and brought to a final volume of 40 mL. The 
lead content of the sample extract is analyzed by Inductively 
Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), based on EPA 
SW-846 Method 6010C.

    The application for an equivalent method determination for this 
method was submitted by the Office of Air Quality Planning and 
Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle 
Park, NC 27711 and was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on June 24, 2010. The method description is available at 
http://www.epa.gov/ttnamti1/pb-monitoring.html.
    The two new equivalent methods for PM10 are both manual, 
gravimetric sampling methods employing a particulate sampler configured 
for dual filter sampling and using a virtual impactor to separate the 
fine and coarse PM fractions for collection on separate filters. The 
two newly designated PM10 methods are identified as follows:

    EQPS-311-197, ``Thermo Scientific Partisol[supreg] 2000-D 
Dichotomous Air Sampler,''

[[Page 15975]]

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 and in accordance with the Thermo Scientific 
Partisol[supreg] 2000-D Dichotomous Operating Manual.
    EQPS-0311-198, ``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) particles, 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 and in 
accordance with the Dichotomous Partisol[supreg]-Plus Model 2025-D 
Sequential Air Sampler Operating Manual.

    Applications for equivalent method determinations for these 
candidate methods were received by the EPA on September 7, 2010. The 
samplers are commercially available from the applicant, Thermo Fisher 
Scientific, Air Quality Instruments, Environmental Instruments 
Division, 27 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA 02038.
    The analytical procedure for the Pb method and the test analyzers 
or samplers representative of the other methods have been tested in 
accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR Part 
53 (as amended on June 22, 2010). 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 these methods should be designated as equivalent methods. 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 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 or standard operating procedure 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 methods 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/qalist.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, analyzer, 
or method which is identical to the sampler, analyzer, or method 
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 methods should be directed to 
the applicants.

Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2011-6681 Filed 3-21-11; 8:45 am]
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