[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45284-45285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16578]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL 9949-01-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.

ACTION: Notice of the designation of a new reference method and four 
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, one new 
reference method for measuring concentrations of sulfur dioxide 
(SO2), four new equivalent methods for measuring 
concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and 
PM10-2.5 in ambient air.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Vanderpool, Exposure Methods 
and Measurement 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 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. A list of all reference or 
equivalent methods that have been previously designated by EPA may be 
found at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/criteria.html.
    The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new reference 
method for measuring concentrations of SO2 in ambient air 
and two new equivalent methods for measuring pollutant concentrations 
of PM2.5, one new equivalent method for measuring pollutant 
concentrations of PM10, and one for measuring pollutant 
concentrations of PM10-2.5. These designations are made 
under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on October 26, 2015 
(80 FR 65291).
    The new reference method for SO2 is an automated method 
(analyzer) utilizing a measurement principle based on ultraviolet 
fluorescence and is identified as follows:
    RFSA-0616-237, ``Sutron Model 6020 Sulfur Dioxide Fluorescent 
Analyzer'', operated at any of the following measurement ranges: 0-0.5 
ppm, at any ambient temperature in the range of 5-40 [deg]C, at any 
line voltage in the range of 90-260 VAC, at any sample flow rate in the 
range of 0.4-0.8 L/min, and in accordance with the Model 6020 
SO2 Analyzer Operation Manual, with or

[[Page 45285]]

without the following options: Zero/span ports for external 
calibration; an optional inlet filter; or an optional second gas 
measurement module co-located inside of the enclosure.
    This application for a reference method determination for this 
SO2 method was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on April 25, 2016. This analyzer is commercially available 
from the applicant, Sutron Air Quality Division, 2548 Shell Road, 
Georgetown, TX 78628.
    The four new PM equivalent methods are automated monitoring methods 
utilizing a measurement principle based on active sampling of ambient 
aerosols and contemporaneous analysis by means of a light-scattering 
technique for determination of particle size and mass concentration. 
These newly designated equivalent methods for PM2.5, 
PM10 and PM10-2.5, are identified as follows:
    EQPM-0516-236, ``Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation Model 
T640 PM mass monitor,'' continuous ambient particulate monitor operated 
at a volumetric flow rate of 5.0 Lpm, equipped with a TAPI 5-Lpm sample 
inlet (P/N: 081050000), TAPI aerosol sample conditioner (P/N: 
081040000), configured for operation with firmware version 1.0.2.126 or 
later, and operated in accordance with the Teledyne Model T640 
Operations Manual. This designation applies to PM2.5 
measurements only.
    EQPM-0516-238, ``Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation Model 
T640 PM mass monitor with 640X option,'' continuous ambient particulate 
monitor operated at a volumetric flow rate of 16.67 Lpm, equipped with 
the louvered PM10 inlet specified in 40 CFR 50 Appendix L, 
Figs. L-2 thru L-19, TAPI aerosol sample conditioner (P/N: 081040000), 
configured for operation with firmware version 1.0.2.126 or later, in 
accordance with the Teledyne Model T640 Operations Manual. This 
designation applies to PM2.5 measurements only.
    EQPM-0516-239, ``Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation Model 
T640 PM mass monitor with 640X option,'' continuous ambient particulate 
monitor operated at a volumetric flow rate of 16.67 Lpm, equipped with 
the louvered PM10 inlet specified in 40 CFR 50 Appendix L, 
Figs. L-2 thru L-19, TAPI aerosol sample conditioner (P/N: 081040000), 
configured for operation with firmware version 1.0.2.126 or later, in 
accordance with the Teledyne Model T640 Operations Manual. This 
designation applies to PM10 measurements only.
    EQPM-0516-240, ``Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation Model 
T640 PM mass monitor with 640X option,'' continuous ambient particulate 
monitor operated at a volumetric flow rate of 16.67 Lpm, equipped with 
the louvered PM10 inlet specified in 40 CFR 50 Appendix L, 
Figs. L-2 thru L-19, TAPI aerosol sample conditioner (P/N: 081040000), 
configured for operation with firmware version 1.0.2.126 or later, in 
accordance with the Teledyne Model T640 Operations Manual. This 
designation applies to PM10-2.5 measurements only.
    The four applications for equivalent method determination for the 
PM candidate methods were received by the Office of Research and 
Development on May 2, 2016, June 1, 2016, June 9, 2016 and June 14, 
2016 respectively. The monitors are commercially available from the 
applicant, Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Inc., 9480 
Carroll Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92121-2251.
    Representative test analyzers have been tested in accordance with 
the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR part 53, as amended 
on October 26, 2015. After reviewing the results of those tests and 
other information submitted by the applicant, EPA has determined, in 
accordance with part 53, that these methods should be designated as a 
reference or equivalent method.
    As a designated reference or equivalent method, 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, each 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 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-13-003, (both available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qalist.html). 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 with any of these conditions 
should be reported to: Director, Exposure Methods and Measurement 
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: July 1, 2016.
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2016-16578 Filed 7-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P