[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]
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