[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32632-32633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13350]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-9680-3]
Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods:
Designation of Three New Equivalent Methods
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, three
new equivalent methods: One for measuring concentrations of nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) and two for measuring concentrations of lead
(Pb) 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: Vanderpool.Robert@epa.gov. Phone: 919-541-7877. Written
inquiries are strongly preferred.
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 three new equivalent
methods for measuring pollutant concentrations in the ambient air: One
for NO2 and two for Pb. These designations are made under
the provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as amended on August 31, 2011 (76 FR
54326- 54341).
The new equivalent method for NO2 is an automated method
(analyzer) utilizing the measurement principle based on gas phase
chemiluminescence reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with ozone, using a
photolytic NO2 to NO converter and the calibration procedure
specified in the operation manual.
(Note that this NO2 equivalent method differs from the
automated NO2 reference method by its use of a photolytic
NO2 to NO converter. This is the first NO2
equivalent method designated with this type of converter). This newly
designated equivalent method is identified as follows:
EQNA-0512-200, ``Teledyne--Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Inc.
Model 200EUP or T200UP Chemiluminescence Nitrogen Oxides Analyzer'',
operated on any full scale range between 0-50 ppb and 0-1000 ppb, with
any range mode (Single, Independent, or AutoRange), at any ambient
temperature in the range of 20 [deg]C to 30 [deg]C, with software
Temperature and Pressure compensation ON, in accordance with the
associated instrument manual; and with or without any of the following
options: Zero/Span Valves, standard serial port (RS232/RS485) or Multi-
drop RS-232, Ethernet port, USB COM port, analog inputs, digital status
outputs, analog outputs: 100 mV, 1V, 5V, 10V, 4-20 mA current loop
outputs.
The application for equivalent method determination for the
NO2 method was received by the Office of Research and
Development on October 4, 2011. These analyzer models are commercially
available from the applicant, Teledyne-API, 9480 Carroll Park Drive San
Diego, CA 92121-5201.
One of the new equivalent methods for Pb is a manual method that
uses the sampling procedure specified in the Reference Method for the
Determination of Lead in Suspended Particulate Matter Collected From
Ambient Air (High-Volume Sampler), 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix G, with a
different extraction and analytical procedure. The method is identified
as follows:
EQL-0512-201, ``Determination of Lead in TSP by Inductively Coupled
Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) With Hot Block Dilute Acid and
Hydrogen Peroxide Filter Extraction''
In this method, total suspended particulate matter (TSP) is
collected on glass fiber filters according to 40 CFR Appendix G to part
50, EPA Reference Method for the Determination of Lead in Suspended
Particulate Matter Collected From Ambient Air. The filter samples are
extracted in a hot block at 95 [deg]C with a solution of dilute
hydrochloric acid and nitric acid and two aliquots of hydrogen
peroxide, for a total of two and a half hours extraction time. The
samples are brought to a final volume of 50 mL and the lead content of
the sample extract is analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass
Spectrometry (ICP-MS) based on EPA Compendium Method IO-3.5 and SW-846
Method 6020A.
The other new equivalent method for Pb is a manual method that uses
the sampling procedure specified in the Reference Method (FRM) for the
Determination of Lead in Particulate Matter as PM10
Collected From Ambient Air, 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix Q, with a
different extraction and analytical procedure. The method is identified
as follows:
EQL-0512-202, ``Determination of Lead in PM[bdi1][bdi0] by Inductively
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) with Hot Block Dilute Acid
and Hydrogen Peroxide Filter Extraction''
In this method, PM10 particulate matter is collected on
Teflon[supreg] membrane filters according to 40 CFR Appendix Q to part
50, EPA Reference
[[Page 32633]]
Method for the Determination of Lead in Particulate Matter as
PM10 Collected From Ambient Air. The filter samples are
extracted in a hot block at 95 [deg]C with a solution of hydrochloric
acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid and an aliquot of hydrogen
peroxide for a total of two and a half hours extraction time. Samples
are brought to a final volume of 50 mL and analyzed by Inductively
Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) based on EPA Compendium
Method IO-3.5 and SW-846 Method 6020A.
The applications for equivalent method determinations for these Pb
methods were submitted by Eastern Research Group, Inc., 601 Keystone
Park Drive, Suite 700, Morrisville, NC 27560 and were received by the
EPA's Office of Research and Development on October 4, 2011. The method
descriptions will be available at http://www.epa.gov/ttnamti1/pb-monitoring.html.
A representative test analyzer for the NO2 method and
the analytical procedures for the Pb 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 applications, EPA has
determined, in accordance with Part 53, that each of these methods
should be designated as an equivalent method. The information in the
applications 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 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 methods must be used in strict accordance with the operation manual
(NO2 method) or the standard operating procedures associated
with each of the Pb methods and are subject to any specifications and
limitations specified in the applicable designated method description
(see the identifications of the methods 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 new 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 methods should be directed to
the applicants.
Dated: May 23, 2012.
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2012-13350 Filed 5-31-12; 8:45 am]
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