[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34734-34735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14249]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL 9912-46-OAR]


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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 for measuring concentrations of nitrogen 
dioxide (NO2), two for measuring ozone (O3) and 
one for measuring concentrations of lead (Pb), 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 one new equivalent 
method for measuring nitrogen dioxide (NO2), two equivalent 
methods for measuring ozone (O3) and one equivalent method 
for measuring concentrations of lead (Pb)in the ambient air. These 
designations are made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as 
amended on August 31, 2011 (76 FR 54326-54341).
    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-0514-212, ``Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Model 
T500U cavity attenuated phase shift spectroscopy Nitrogen Dioxide 
Analyzer'', operated on any full scale range between 0-50 ppb and 0-
1000 ppb, with any range mode (Single, Dual, or AutoRange), with a 
sample particulate filter, at any operating temperature from 5 [deg]C 
to 40 [deg]C, with the following software setting: Temperature and 
Pressure compensation ON; in accordance with the associated instrument 
manual, and with or without any of the following options: Zero/Span 
valves, internal Zero/Span permeation oven (IZS), external 
communication and data monitoring interfaces.
    One new O3 equivalent method is an automated monitoring 
method (analyzer) utilizing a measurement principle based on based on 
non-dispersive ultraviolet absorption photometry. The newly designated 
equivalent method is identified as follows:
    EQOA-0514-214, ``Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Model 
T204 NOX + O3 Analyzer'', operated on any full 
scale range between 0-100 ppb and 0-500 ppb, at any operating 
temperature from 5 [deg]C to 40[deg]C, with either a user-or vendor-
supplied vacuum pump capable of providing an absolute pressure of 10 
inches mercury or less at 3 slpm, in accordance with the associated 
instrument manual, and with or without any of the following options: 
Zero/Span valves, external communication and data monitoring 
interfaces.
    The application for the equivalent method determination for the 
NO2 candidate method was received by the EPA on November 4, 
2013 and ozone candidate method was received by the EPA on January 7, 
2014. The analyzer models are commercially available from the 
applicant, Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, 9480 Carroll 
Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92121-2251.
    A second O3 equivalent method is an automated monitoring 
method (analyzer) utilizing a measurement principle based on non-
dispersive ultraviolet absorption photometry. The designated equivalent 
method is identified as follows:
    EQOA-0514-215, ``2B Technologies Model 211 Scrubberless Ozone 
Monitor,'' operated in a range of 0-0.5 ppm in an environment of 20-30 
[deg]C, with temperature and pressure compensation, internal DewLine 
for humidity control, gas phase titration of ozone for interference-
free measurements, using a 1 minute average, with a 110-220V AC power 
adapter or a 12V DC source, 8.0 to 12.0 watt power consumption, 
operated according to the Model 211 Scrubberless Ozone Monitor 
Operation Manual with either an external nitric oxide source or 
internal photolytic generator for production of NO scrubber gas from 
nitrous oxide, and with or without the following: Cigarette lighter 
adapter or a 12V DC battery for portable operation, external PTFE inlet 
filter and holder,

[[Page 34735]]

serial data port with computer cable, BNC connector for 0-2.5V or 4-20 
mA scalable analog output, internal data logger, microFlash card for 
data recording and backup, rack mount hardware, and long life sample 
pump.
    The application for an equivalent method determination for this 
candidate method was received by the EPA on January 14, 2014. The 
analyzer models are commercially available from the applicant, 2B 
Technology, Inc., 2100 Central Ave., Suite 105, Boulder, CO 80303.
    The new equivalent method for Pb is a manual method that uses the 
sampling procedure specified in the Reference Method for the 
Determination of Lead in Suspended Particulate Matter Collected From 
Ambient Air (High-Volume Sampler), 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix G, with a 
different extraction and analytical procedure. The method is identified 
as follows:
    EQL-0514-213 ``Determination of Lead (PB) on TSP Hi-Volume Filters 
by Microwave Assisted Digestion and Time of Flight Inductively Coupled 
Plasma Mass Spectrometry (TOF ICP-MS).'' In this method, total 
suspended particulate matter (TSP) is collected on glass fiber filters, 
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 acid and digested in a microwave digestion 
system at 175[ordm] C for 15 minutes, centrifuged for 30 minutes at 
2000 rpm, and brought to a final acid concentration of 2-3%. The lead 
content of the sample extract is analyzed by Time of Flight Inductively 
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (TOF ICP-MS), based on EPA SW-846 
Method 6010C.
    The application for equivalent method determination for this Pb 
method was submitted by South Coast Air Quality Management District, 
21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4182 and was received by the 
EPA's Office of Research and Development on May 18, 2012. The method 
descriptions will be available at http://www.epa.gov/ttnamti1/pb-monitoring.html.
    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 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.

Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2014-14249 Filed 6-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P