[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 146 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38184-38185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18388]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8934-6]
Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Reference
Method and Two New Equivalent Methods
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of the designation of one new reference method and 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, one new
reference method for measuring concentrations of oxides of nitrogen
(NOX) in the ambient air and two new equivalent methods, one
for measuring concentrations of ozone (O3) in the ambient
air and one for measuring concentrations of sulfur dioxide
(SO2) in the ambient air.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Surender Kaushik, Human Exposure and
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-D205-03), National Exposure Research
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
Phone: (919) 541-5691, e-mail: [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 one new reference
method for measuring NOX in the ambient air and two new
equivalent methods, one for measuring
[[Page 38185]]
concentrations of O3 in the ambient air and one for
measuring SO2 in the ambient air. These designations are
made under the provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as amended on December 18,
2006 (71 FR 61271).
The new reference method for NOX is an automated method
(analyzer) utilizing the measurement principle based on gas phase
chemiluminescence and the calibration procedure specified in Appendix F
of 40 CFR part 50. This newly designated reference method is identified
as follows:
RFNA-0809-186, ``Ecotech Serinus 40 Oxides of Nitrogen
Analyzer'', operated in the range of 0-0.5 ppm, with a five-micron
Teflon[supreg] filter element installed, and with the following
selected: Control Loop-Enabled, Diagnostic Mode-Operate, Pres/Temp/
Flow Compensation-Enabled, Span Compensation-Disabled, with
concentration automatically corrected for temperature and pressure
changes, and operated according to the Serinus 40 Oxides of Nitrogen
Analyzer User Manual.
The new equivalent method for O3 is an automated method
that utilizes a measurement principle based on non-dispersive
ultraviolet absorption photometry. The newly designated equivalent
method for O3 is identified as follows:
EQOA-0809-187, ``Ecotech Serinus 10 Ozone Analyzer'', operated
in the range of 0-0.5 ppm, with a five-micron Teflon[supreg] filter
element installed, and with the following selected: Control Loop-
Enabled, Diagnostic Mode-Operate, Pres/Temp/Flow Compensation-
Enabled, Span Compensation-Disabled, with concentration
automatically corrected for temperature and pressure changes, and
operated according to the Serinus 10 Ozone Analyzer User Manual.
The new equivalent method for SO2 is an automated method
(analyzer) that utilizes a measurement principle based on ultraviolet
fluorescence. The newly designated equivalent method for SO2
is identified as follows:
EQSA-0809-188, ``Ecotech Serinus 50 Sulfur Dioxide Analyzer'',
operated in the range of 0-0.5 ppm, with a five-micron
Teflon[supreg] filter element installed, and with the following
selected: Background-Enabled, Control Loop-Enabled, Diagnostic Mode-
Operate, Pres/Temp/Flow Compensation-Enabled, Span Compensation-
Disabled, with concentration automatically corrected for temperature
and pressure changes, and operated according to the Serinus 50
Sulfur Dioxide Analyzer User Manual.
Applications for the reference method and equivalent method
determinations for these candidate methods were received by the EPA on
March 19, 2008, April 22, 2009 and June 22, 2009, respectively. The
monitors are commercially available from the applicant, Ecotech Pty.
Ltd., 1492 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield, Victoria, 3180, Australia.
Test analyzers representative of these methods have been tested in
accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR Part
53 (as amended on December 18, 2006). After reviewing the results of
those tests and other information submitted by the applicant in the
respective applications, EPA has determined, in accordance with Part
53, that these methods should be designated as a reference or
equivalent method, as appropriate. The information submitted by the
applicant in the respective 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 reference or 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, 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 applicable designated method
description (see the identifications of the methods 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 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 (available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qabook.html). Vendor modifications of a
designated 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 (Modifications of Methods by Users) of Appendix C to 40 CFR
Part 58.
In general, a method designation applies to any sampler or analyzer
which is identical to the sampler or analyzer described in the
application for designation. In some cases, similar samplers or
analyzers manufactured prior to the designation may be upgraded or
converted (e.g., by minor modification or by substitution of the
approved operation or instruction manual) so as to be identical to the
designated method and thus achieve designated status. The manufacturer
should be consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading or
conversion.
Part 53 requires that sellers of designated reference or equivalent
method analyzers or samplers comply with certain conditions. These
conditions are specified in 40 CFR 53.9.
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-
E205-01), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
Designation of these new 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.
Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. E9-18388 Filed 7-30-09; 8:45 am]
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