[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 209 (Thursday, October 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58036-58038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29015]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6181-4]
Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods:
Designation of a New Reference Method and Receipt of Three New
Applications for Reference Method Determinations
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of designation and receipt of applications.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, a new
reference method for measuring concentrations of PM2.5 in
ambient air. Notice is also given that EPA has received three new
applications for PM2.5 reference method determinations under
40 CFR part 53.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank F. McElroy, Human Exposure and
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-46), National Exposure Research
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
Phone: (919) 541-2622, email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with regulations at 40 CFR
part 53, the EPA examines various methods for monitoring the
concentrations of certain pollutants in the ambient air. Methods that
are determined to meet specific requirements for adequacy are
designated as either reference or equivalent methods, thereby
permitting their use under 40 CFR part 58 by States and other agencies
in determining attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards. EPA hereby announces the designation of a new reference
method for measuring PM2.5 in ambient air. This designation
is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on July 18,
1997 (62 FR 38764).
The new reference method for PM2.5 is a manual
monitoring method based on a particular commercially available
PM2.5 sampler. The newly designated method is identified as
follows:
RFPS-1098-123, ``Thermo Environmental Instruments, Incorporated
Model 605 ``CAPS'' Computer Assisted Particle Sampler,'' configured
as a PM2.5 reference method and operated with software
version 1.02A, for 24-hour continuous sample periods, in accordance
with the Model 605 Instruction Manual and with the requirements and
sample collection filters specified in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix L.
An application for a reference method determination for the method
based on the Thermo Environmental Instruments Model 605 sampler was
received by the EPA on October 8, 1997, and a notice of the receipt of
this application (then identified as Model 605/FH95-E) was published in
the Federal Register on February 10, 1998. The method is available
commercially from the applicant, Thermo Environmental Instruments,
Incorporated, 8 West Forge Parkway, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038.
Test samplers representative of this method have been tested by the
applicant in accordance with the test procedures specified in 40 CFR
part 53 (as amended on July 18, 1997). 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. The information submitted by the
applicant will be kept on file at EPA's National Exposure Research
Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 and will be
[[Page 58037]]
available for inspection to the extent consistent with 40 CFR part 2
(EPA's regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act).
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,
the method must be used in strict accordance with the operation or
instruction manual associated with the method, the specifications and
limitations (e.g., sample period or measurement range) specified in the
applicable designation method description (see identification of the
method above). Use of the method should also be in general accordance
with the guidance and recommendations of applicable sections of the
Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems,
Volume II (EPA/600/R-94/038b). Vendor modifications of a designated
reference or equivalent method used for purposes of part 58 are
permitted only with prior approval of the EPA, as provided in part 53.
Provisions concerning modification of such methods by users are
specified under Section 2.8 of Appendix C to 40 CFR part 58
(Modifications of Methods by Users).
In general, a method designation applies to any sampler or analyzer
which is identical to the sampler or analyzer described in the
designation application. In some cases, similar samplers or analyzers
manufactured prior to the designation may be upgraded (e.g., by minor
modification or by substitution of a new operation or instruction
manual) so as to be identical to the designated method and thus achieve
designated status at a modest cost. The manufacturer should be
consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading.
Part 53 requires that sellers of designated reference or equivalent
method analyzers or samplers comply with certain conditions. These
conditions are given in 40 CFR 53.9 and are summarized below:
(a) A copy of the approved operation or instruction manual must
accompany the sampler or analyzer when it is delivered to the ultimate
purchaser.
(b) The sampler or analyzer must not generate any unreasonable
hazard to operators or to the environment.
(c) The sampler or analyzer must function within the limits of the
applicable performance specifications given in parts 50 and 53 for at
least one year after delivery when maintained and operated in
accordance with the operation or instruction manual.
(d) Any sampler or analyzer offered for sale as part of a reference
or equivalent method must bear a label or sticker indicating that it
has been designated as part of a reference or equivalent method in
accordance with part 53 and showing its designated method
identification number.
(e) If such an analyzer has two or more selectable ranges, the
label or sticker must be placed in close proximity to the range
selector and indicate which range or ranges have been included in the
reference or equivalent method designation.
(f) An applicant who offers samplers or analyzers for sale as part
of a reference or equivalent method is required to maintain a list of
ultimate purchasers of such samplers or analyzers and to notify them
within 30 days if a reference or equivalent method designation
applicable to the method has been canceled or if adjustment of the
sampler or analyzer is necessary under 40 CFR 53.11(b) to avoid a
cancellation.
(g) An applicant who modifies a sampler or analyzer previously
designated as part of a reference or equivalent method is not permitted
to sell the sampler or analyzer (as modified) as part of a reference or
equivalent method (although it may be sold without such
representation), nor to attach a label or sticker to the sampler or
analyzer (as modified) under the provisions described above, until the
applicant has received notice under 40 CFR 53.14(c) that the original
designation or a new designation applies to the method as modified, or
until the applicant has applied for and received notice under 40 CFR
53.8(b) of a new reference or equivalent method determination for the
sampler or analyzer as modified.
(h) An applicant who offers PM2.5 samplers for sale as
part of a reference or equivalent method is required to maintain the
manufacturing facility in which the sampler is manufactured as an ISO
9001-registered facility.
(i) An applicant who offers PM2.5 samplers for sale as
part of a reference or equivalent method is required to submit annually
a properly completed Product Manufacturing Checklist, as specified in
part 53.
Aside from occasional breakdowns or malfunctions, consistent or
repeated noncompliance with any of these conditions should be reported
to: Director, Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-77),
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 this method should be directed to
the applicant.
Receipt of New Reference Method Applications
EPA is also hereby announcing that it has received three new
applications for reference method determinations under 40 CFR part 53.
Publication of a notice of receipt of such applications is required by
Sec. 53.5.
On July 6, 1998, EPA received an application from Andersen
Instruments, Incorporated, 500 Technology Court, Smyrna, Georgia 30082,
for a reference method determination for a PM2.5 method
based on that Company's Model RAAS2.5-200 Audit Single
Channel PM2.5 Sampler. Another application was received on
July 27, 1998, from URG Corporation, 116 South Merritt Mill Road,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 for a reference method determination
for a PM2.5 method based on that Company's Models MASS100
Single Channel and MASS300 Multi Channel Sequential PM2.5
Samplers. An application was received on August 10, 1998, from
Rupprecht & Patashnick Company, Incorporated, 25 Corporate Circle,
Albany, New York 12203 for a reference method determination for a
PM2.5 method based on that Company's Partisol
Model 2000 Audit Sampler.
If, after appropriate technical study, the Administrator determines
that any or all of these methods should be designated as reference
methods under 40 CFR part 53, notice thereof will be published in a
subsequent issue of the Federal Register.
Correction
In a reference and equivalent method designation notice published
in the Federal Register on August 3, 1998 (63 FR 41253), the
description of one of methods designated contained an error in one of
the measurement ranges. The correct description is as follows:
RFNA-0798-121, ``DKK Corporation Model GLN-114E Nitrogen Oxides
Analyzer,'' operated within a temperature range of 20 to 30 degrees
C on any of the following measurement ranges: 0-0.050, 0-0.100, 0-
0.200, 0-0.500, and 0-1.000 ppm.
The Model GLN-114E analyzer is available from the applicant, DKK
Corporation, 4-13-14, Kichijoji
[[Page 58038]]
Katamachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180, Japan.
Henry L. Longest II,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 98-29015 Filed 10-28-98; 8:45 am]
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