[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55832-55833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22343]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9726-9]


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 PM2.5 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. 
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 pollutant concentrations of PM2.5 in the 
ambient air. This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR 
part 53, as

[[Page 55833]]

amended on August 31, 2011 (76 FR 54326-54341).
    The new equivalent method for PM2.5 is an automated 
monitoring method utilizing 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-0812-203, ``OPSIS SM200- Dust Monitor'' configured for 
PM2.5 with the US EPA PM10 inlet specified in 40 
CFR part 50 Appendix L, followed by a BGI Inc. Very Sharp Cut Cyclone 
(VSCC\TM\) particle size separator, operated for a 24-hour continuous 
sample period at a total actual flow rate of 16.67 L/min. using 47mm 
PTFE membrane filters, a TS200 temperature stabilizer and software 
version 1.04.16 or later, in accordance with the OPSIS SM200 Dust 
Monitor Operation and Instruction Guide.''
    The application for equivalent method determination for the 
PM2.5 method was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on June 21, 2011. This monitor is commercially available 
from the applicant OPSIS Inc., 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1950, 
Chicago, IL 60601.
    Test monitors representative of this method have been tested in 
accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR part 
53, as amended on August 31, 2011. 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. 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 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 also should 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 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.

Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2012-22343 Filed 9-10-12; 8:45 am]
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