[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 12, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67360-67361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27016]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9902-59-ORD]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: 
Designation of Five New Equivalent Methods

AGENCY: Office of Research and Development; Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of the designation of five 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, five 
new equivalent methods, one for measuring concentrations of 
PM10, one for measuring concentrations of 
PM10-2.5, two for measuring PM2.5, and one for 
measuring NO2 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 five new equivalent 
methods for measuring pollutant concentrations in the ambient air: One 
for measuring concentrations of PM10-2.5, one for measuring 
concentrations of PM10, two for measuring concentrations of 
PM2.5 and one for measuring concentrations of 
NO2. These designations are made under the provisions of 40 
CFR Part 53, as amended on August 31, 2011 (76 FR 54326-54341).
    Two of the new equivalent methods for PM are automated monitoring 
methods utilizing a measurement principle based on sample collection by 
filtration and analysis by an inertial micro-balance that provides 
direct mass measurements in near real time. Separation of the 
PM10 aerosol into PM10-2.5 and PM2.5 
particle size fractions is by a virtual impactor. The newly designated 
equivalent methods are identified as follows:
    EQPM-1013-207, ``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 1.70 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. This designation 
applies to PM10-2.5 measurements only.
    EQPM-1013-208, ``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 1.70 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. This designation 
applies to PM10 measurements only.
    Applications for the equivalent method determinations for these 
candidate methods were received by the EPA Office of Research and 
Development on July 26, 2011 and March 6, 2009. The monitors are 
commercially available from the applicant, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 
Air Quality Instruments, Environmental Instruments Division, 27 Forge 
Parkway, Franklin, MA 02038.
    Two of the new equivalent methods are automated monitoring methods 
utilizing a measurement principle based on sample collection by 
filtration and analysis by beta radiation attenuation. The newly 
designated equivalent methods are identified as follows:
    EQPM-1013-209, ``Met One Instruments, Inc. BAM-1022 Beta 
Attenuation Mass Monitor--Outdoor PM2.5 FEM Configuration,'' 
configured for 24 1-hour average measurements of PM2.5 by 
beta attenuation, using a glass fiber filter tape roll (460130) and a 
sample flow rate of 16.67 liters/min and with the standard (BX-802) EPA 
PM10 inlet (meeting 40 CFR part 50 Appendix L 
specifications) and with a BGI VSCC[supreg] Very Sharp Cut Cyclone (BX-
808) particle size separator, and equipped with external enclosure BX-
922 and BX-592 ambient temperature sensor or BX-596 ambient 
temperature/barometric combination sensor or BX-597 ambient 
temperature/barometric pressure/relative humidity combination sensor. 
Instrument must be operated in accordance with the BAM 1022 Particulate 
Monitor operation manual, revision 3 or later. This designation applies 
to PM2.5 measurements only.
    The application for the equivalent method determination for this 
candidate method was received by the EPA Office of Research and 
Development on January 16, 2013. The monitor is commercially available 
from the applicant, Met One Instruments, Inc., 1600 Washington Blvd., 
Grants Pass, Or 97526.
    EQPM-1013-211, ``Environnement S.A. Model MP101M PM2.5 
Beta Attenuation Monitor'' using a glass fiber filter tape roll, 
operated at a sample flow rate of 16.67 liters/min for 24-hour average 
measurements of PM2.5, configured with the standard EPA 
PM10 inlet (meeting 40 CFR part 50 Appendix L 
specifications) associated with a BGI VSCC[supreg] Very Sharp Cut 
Cyclone particle size separator and using a temperature regulated 
sampling tube with ambient meteorological sensor. With or without 
optional ESTEL analog inputs/outputs, serial link: 1 RS-232/422; USB 
port; Ethernet port (TCP/IP). Instrument must be operated in accordance 
with the Ambient Air Continuous Particulate Monitor Model MP101M 
operation manual. This designation applies to PM2.5 
measurements only.
    The application for the equivalent method determination for this 
candidate method was received by the EPA Office of Research and 
Development on June 11, 2013. The monitor is commercially available 
from the applicant, Environment S.A., 111 bd Robespierre, 78300 POISSY, 
France.
    The new equivalent method for NO2 is an automated method 
(analyzer) utilizing the principle of Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift 
spectroscopy and the calibration procedure specified in the operation 
manual. The newly designated equivalent method is identified as 
follows:
    EQNA-1013-210, ``Environnement S.A. Model AS32M cavity attenuated 
phase shift spectroscopy Nitrogen Dioxide Analyzer'', operated on any 
full scale range between 0-500 ppb and 0-

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1000 ppb, at any ambient temperature in the range of 20[deg]C to 
30[deg]C, with automatic response time ON, set to 11, in accordance 
with the associated instrument manual; with sample particulate filter; 
zero gas inlet and zero check enabled; sample permeation dryer. Serial 
link: 2 RS-232; USB port; Ethernet port (TCP/IP); onboard html web 
server and, with or without any of the following options: Internal 
permeation bench; ESTEL analog inputs/outputs.
    The application for equivalent method determination for the NO2 
method was received by the Office of Research and Development on 
November 29, 2012. This analyzer model is commercially available from 
the applicant, Environment S.A., 111 bd Robespierre, 78300 POISSY, 
France.
    Test monitors representative of these methods 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 applications, EPA has 
determined, in accordance with Part 53, that these methods should be 
designated as equivalent methods.
    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, 
the methods must be used in strict accordance with the operation or 
instruction manuals associated with the methods and subject to any 
specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or operational 
settings) specified in the applicable designated descriptions (see the 
identification of the methods above).
    Use of the methods 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 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 applicant.

Desmond Mayes,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2013-27016 Filed 11-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P