[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 161 (Wednesday, August 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49307-49308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19777]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9915-43-ORD]


Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring 
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Reference 
Method for PM10

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of designation of a new reference 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 
reference method 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. 
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 reference method 
for measuring pollutant concentrations of particulate matter as 
PM10 in the ambient air. This designation is made under the 
provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as amended on August 31, 2011(76 FR 
54326-54341).
    The new reference method for PM10 is a manual monitoring 
method based on a particular, commercially available PM10 
sampler, as specified in appendix J 40 CFR part 50. The newly 
designated reference method is identified as follows:

    RFPS-0714-216, ``Tisch Environmental Model TE-Wilbur10 
PM10 Low-Volume Air Particulate Sampler,'' configured as 
a PM10 reference method, with firmware version 1.70 or 
later and a TE-PM10-D PM10 size-selective 
inlet, as specified in 40 CFR 50 Appendix L Figs. L-2 thru L-19, and 
operated for 24 sample periods at a flow rate of 16.67 L/min, using 
47 mm PTFE membrane filter media, and in accordance with the Tisch 
Environmental Model TE-Wilbur10 PM10 Low-Volume Air 
Particulate Sampler instruction manual and with the requirements and 
sample collection filters as specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix 
J.

    The application for reference method determination for the 
PM10 method was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on May 28, 2014. This monitor is commercially available 
from the applicant, Tisch Environmental,

[[Page 49308]]

Inc., 145 S. Miami Avenue, Village of Cleves, OH 45002.
    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 a reference 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 reference 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 reference 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.

    Dated: August 12, 2014.
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2014-19777 Filed 8-19-14; 8:45 am]
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