[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32114-32116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13800]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9928-61-ORD]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of designation of one reference method and three 
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, one new 
reference method and one new equivalent for measuring concentrations of 
PM2.5, one new equivalent method for measuring 
PM10-2.5, and two new equivalent methods for measuring ozone 
(O3) 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 reference 
method for measuring PM2.5, one new equivalent method for 
measuring PM2.5, one new equivalent method for measuring 
PM10-2.5, and two equivalent methods for measuring ozone 
(O3) 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 reference method for PM2.5 is a manual 
monitoring method based on a particular PM2.5 sampler and is 
identified as follows:

[[Page 32115]]

    RFPS-0315-221, ``Met One Instruments, Inc. e-FRM,'' configured for 
filter sampling of ambient particles using the US EPA PM10 
inlet specified in 40 CFR 50 Appendix L, Figs. L-2 thru L-19, equipped 
with either a BGI VSCC\TM\ cyclone or WINS PM2.5 
fractionator, with a flow rate of 16.67 L/min, using 47 mm PTFE 
membrane filter media, and operating with firmware version R1.1.0 and 
later, and operated in accordance with the Met One e-FRM 
PM2.5 operating manual.
    The application for reference method determination for the 
PM2.5 method was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on January 9, 2015. This monitor is commercially available 
from the applicant, Met One Instruments, Inc., 1600 Washington Blvd., 
Grants Pass, OR 97526.
    The new PM2.5 Class II equivalent method is nearly 
identical to a corresponding Tisch Environmental Inc. sampler (RFPS-
1014-219) that had been previously designated by EPA as a reference 
method sampler for PM2.5. The significant difference is that 
the newly designated PM2.5 equivalent method sampler is 
configured to use a Tisch Environmental Inc. Model TE-PM2.5C cyclone as 
the principle size separator (fractionator) for the sampler rather than 
the WINS impactor or the BGI VSCCTM used in the 
corresponding PM2.5 reference method sampler. The newly 
designated Class II equivalent method is identified as follows:
    EQPS-0415-223 ``Tisch Environmental Model TE-Wilbur2.5 
PM2.5 Low-Volume Air Particulate Sampler,'' configured as a 
PM2.5 equivalent 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, configured with a Tisch TE-
PM2.5C particle size separator, and operated for 24-hour continuous 
sample periods at a flow rate of 16.67 L/min, using 47 mm PTFE membrane 
filter media, operated with or without the optional TE-W-600 Solar 
Panel Power Supply kit, and in accordance with the Tisch Environmental 
Model TE-Wilbur2.5 PM2.5 Low-Volume Air Particulate Sampler 
instruction manual and with the requirements and sample collection 
filters as specified in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix L.
    In the particular case of the new Tisch Class II PM2.5 
equivalent method, a corresponding Tisch Environmental Inc. 
PM2.5 reference method sampler (RFPS-1014-219) may be 
converted to the equivalent method configuration by replacement of the 
WINS impactor or the VSCCTM cyclone with the Tisch 
Environmental TE-PM2.5C cyclone specified in the equivalent method 
description. The TE-PM2.5C device should be purchased from the sampler 
manufacturer, who will also furnish installation, conversion, 
operation, and maintenance instructions for the TE-PM2.5C, as well as a 
new equivalent method identification label to be placed on the sampler. 
If the conversion is to be permanent, the original designation 
reference method label should be removed from the sampler and replaced 
with the new designated equivalent method label. In the case where a 
converted sampler may need to be restored later to its original 
reference method configuration (such as for an application specifically 
requiring a reference method) by re-installation of the WINS impactor 
or the VSCCTM cyclone, the new equivalent method label may 
be installed on the sampler without removing the original reference 
method label, such that the sampler bears both labels. In this 
situation, the sampler shall be clearly and conspicuously marked by the 
operator to indicate its current configuration (i.e. WINS reference 
method, VSCCTM reference method, or TE-PM2.5C equivalent 
method) so that the monitoring method is correctly identified and the 
correct method code is used when reporting monitoring data obtained 
with the sampler.
    The new PM10-2.5 equivalent method utilizes a pair of 
filter samplers, one of which has been designated as an equivalent 
method for PM2.5, and one which has been designated as a 
reference method for PM10. Both samplers have been shown to 
meet the requirements specified in Appendix O of 40 CFR part 50. The 
PM2.5 equivalent method sampler and the PM10 
reference method sampler are designated as EQPS-0415-223 and RFPS-0714-
216, respectively. The newly designated PM10-2.5 equivalent 
method sampler is identified as follows:
    EQPS-0415-224, ``Tisch Environmental Model TE-Wilbur Low-Volume Air 
Particulate Sampler Pair'' for the determination of coarse particulate 
matter as PM10-2.5, consisting of a pair of Tisch 
Environmental Model TE-Wilbur samplers, with one being the TE-Wilbur2.5 
PM2.5 sampler with TE-PM2.5C particle size separator (EQPS-
0415-223) and the other being a TE-Wilbur10 PM10 sampler 
(RFPS-0714-216), and operated in accordance with the associated TE-
Wilbur instruction manual. This designation applies to 
PM10-2.5 measurements only.
    The application for equivalent method Class II determination for 
the PM2.5 method was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on July 21, 2014 and the PM10-2.5 method 
application was received on April 21, 2015. These samplers are 
commercially available from the applicant, Tisch Environmental, Inc., 
145 S. Miami Avenue, Village of Cleves, OH 45002.
    The two new equivalent methods for ozone are both automated 
monitoring methods (analyzers) utilizing ultraviolet absorption 
photometry and are identified as follows:
    EQOA-0415-222, ``Sutron Model 6030 Ozone Analyzer,'' operated at 
any of the following measurement ranges: 0-0.05 ppm, 0-0.5 ppm and 0-
1.0 ppm, at any ambient temperature in the range of 5 [deg]C-45 [deg]C, 
with an averaging time of 1 to 99 analyzer cycles (0 to 396 seconds), 
with sample flow rate of 0.5 to 1 Lpm and in accordance with the Model 
6030 Ozone Analyzer Operation Manual and with or without the following 
options: Internal ozone generator, zero/span ports for external 
calibration.
    This application for equivalent method determination for the ozone 
method was received by the Office of Research and Development on March 
9, 2015. This monitor is commercially available from the applicant, 
Sutron Air Quality Division, 2548 Shell Road, Georgetown, TX 78628.
    EQOA-0515-225 ``Environnement S.A. Model O3 42e UV Photometric 
Ozone Analyzer,'' operated in a range of 0-0.5 ppm in an environment of 
0-35 [deg]C, with a Teflon sample inlet filter, with automatic 
temperature and pressure compensation, with zero/span external solenoid 
valve, with automatic or fixed response time, and with or without the 
following options: ESTEL Analog Input/Output Board, LCD color touch 
screen, and internal ozone generator.
    The application for equivalent method determination for the ozone 
method was received by the Office of Research and Development on April 
20, 2015. This analyzer is commercially available from the applicant, 
Environnement S.A., 111, Boulevard 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 application, EPA has 
determined, in accordance with Part 53, that these methods should be 
designated as equivalent methods.
    As designated reference and equivalent methods, these methods are 
acceptable for use by states and other air monitoring agencies under 
the requirements of 40 CFR part 58,

[[Page 32116]]

Ambient Air Quality Surveillance. For such purposes, the methods 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 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 reference and 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 method should be 
directed to the applicant.

    Dated: May 20, 2015.
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2015-13800 Filed 6-4-15; 8:45 am]
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