[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 165 (Wednesday, August 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51802-51803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21203]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9933-10-ORD]


Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring 
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of a Two New Equivalent 
Methods

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of designation of two 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, two new 
equivalent methods: one for measuring concentrations of 
PM2.5 and one for measuring concentrations of 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 two new equivalent 
methods for measuring pollutant concentrations in the ambient air: One 
for PM2.5 and one for ozone. These designations are made 
under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on August 31, 2011 
(76 FR 54326-54341).
    The new PM2.5 Class III equivalent method is nearly 
identical to a corresponding Met One sampler (EQPM-1013-209) that had 
been previously designated by EPA as an equivalent method sampler for 
PM2.5. The significant difference is that the newly 
designated PM2.5 equivalent method sampler is configured to 
use an URG-2000-30EGN PM2.5 as the principle size separator 
(fractionator) for the sampler rather than the WINS impactor or the BGI 
VSCCTM used in the corresponding PM2.5 equivalent 
method sampler. The newly designated Class III equivalent method is 
identified as follows:
    EQPM-0715-266, Met One Instruments, Inc. BAM-1020 Beta Attenuation 
Mass Monitor--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 or 460180) and a sample 
flow rate of 16.67 liters/min and with the standard (BX-802) EPA 
PM10 inlet (meeting 40 CFR 50 Appendix L specifications) and 
with an URG-2000-30EGN PM2.5 (BX-809) cyclonic separator, 
BX-596 combo T/RH sensor, BX-827(110V) or BX-830(230V). Instrument must 
be operated in accordance with the BAM 1020 Particulate Monitor 
operation manual, revision k or later. This PM2.5 equivalent 
method designation only applies to the BAM-1020 configured with the 
URG-2000-30EGN cyclone.
    In the particular case of the new Met One Class III 
PM2.5 equivalent method, a corresponding Met One 
PM2.5 equivalent method sampler (RFPS-1013-209) may be 
converted to the equivalent method configuration by replacement of the 
WINS impactor or the VSCCTM cyclone with the URG-2000-30EGN 
cyclone specified in the equivalent method description. The URG-2000-
30EGN cyclone should be purchased from the sampler manufacturer, who 
will also furnish installation, conversion, operation, and maintenance 
instructions for the URG-2000-30EGN cyclone, 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 equivalent 
method label should be removed from the sampler and replaced with the 
new designated equivalent method label.
    The application for equivalent method determination for the 
PM2.5 method was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on June 18, 2015. This monitor is commercially available 
from the applicant, Met One Instruments, Inc., 1600 Washington Blvd., 
Grants Pass, OR 97526.
    The new Ozone 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-0815-227, ``2B Technologies Model Personal Ozone Monitor 
(POM),'' operated in a range of 0-0.5 ppm in an environment of 20-30 
[deg]C, temperature and pressure compensation, using a 10 second 
averaging time, with a 12V DC source supplied by a 100-240V AC power 
adapter, operated according to the POM Operation Manual and with or 
without the following: Cigarette lighter adapter or a 12V DC battery or 
a 7-24 V battery for portable operation, USB data port with computer 
cable.
    The application for equivalent method determination for the ozone 
method was received by the Office of Research and Development on 
September 18, 2013. This analyzer is commercially available from the 
applicant, 2B Technology, Inc., 2100 Central Ave., Suite 105, Boulder, 
CO 80303.
    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 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 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 descriptions 
(see the identification of the methods above).

[[Page 51803]]

    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 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.

    Dated: August 18, 2015.
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2015-21203 Filed 8-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P