[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 50833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20926]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL 10000-30-ORD]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods; 
Designation of One New Reference Method and One Reference Method 
Amendment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of the designation of a new reference method and an 
amendment to an existing reference method for monitoring ambient air 
quality.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated one new reference method for measuring 
concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and one amendment 
to an existing reference method for measuring PM10 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. 
Phone: 919-541-7877. 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 (NAAQS) 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 NAAQS. 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 NO2 in ambient air. 
This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as 
amended on October 26, 2015(80 FR 65291-65468).
    The new reference method for NO2 is an automated method 
(analyzer) utilizing the measurement principle based on gas phase 
chemiluminescence. This newly designated reference method is identified 
as follows:
    RFNA-0819-254, ``Focused Photonics Inc. Model AQMS-600 
Chemiluminescent Nitric Oxides Analyzer,'' operated with a measurement 
range of 0-0.5 ppm, equipped with a 1-micron, 47mm diameter 
Teflon[supreg] (PTFE) sample inlet filter, at any temperature in the 
range of 20 [deg]C to 30 [deg]C, with Molybdenum NOX 
converter operating at 315 [deg]C, at a nominal sample flow rate of 
50050 cc/min, with an ozone flow rate of 8010% 
cc/min, at nominal input line voltage of 22010% VAC and 
frequency of 50 Hz. Analyzer operated and maintained in accordance with 
the Model AQMS-600 Nitric Oxides Analyzer User Manual.
    This application for a reference method determination for this 
NO2 method was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on July 15, 2019. This analyzer is commercially available 
from the applicant, Focused Photonics Inc. (FPI), 760 Bin`an Road, 
Binjiang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
    A representative test analyzer was 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 this method should be designated as a 
reference method.
    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, 
this 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 this 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.
    The EPA hereby announces the amendment of one reference method for 
measuring concentrations of PM10 in ambient air. This 
amendment is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on 
October 26, 2015 (80 FR 65291-65468).
    This reference method for PM10 is a manual monitoring 
method based on a specific PM10 sampler. The amendment to 
this designated reference method corrects a typographical error in the 
original notice of designation [82 FR 44612, Sept. 25, 2017] and is 
corrected as follows:
    RFPS-0717-246, ``Met One Instruments, Inc. E-SEQ-FRM,'' sequential 
sampler configured for multi-event filter sampling of ambient 
particulate matter using the US EPA PM10 inlet specified in 
40 CFR 50 Appendix L, Figs. L-2 thru L-19, 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-SEQ-FRM PM10 operating manual. This designation 
applies to PM10 measurements only.

    Dated: September 9, 2019.
Timothy Watkins,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2019-20926 Filed 9-25-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P