00-1083. Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of a New Equivalent Method for SO2

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION:

Notice of designation.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, a new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of SO₂ in ambient air.

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: [phone], email: [e-mail].

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 for determining attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. EPA hereby announces the designation of a new equivalent method for measuring SO₂ 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 equivalent method for SO₂ is an automated method which utilizes the measurement principle based on UV fluorescence. The newly designated method is identified as follows:

EQSA-0100-133, “DKK Corporation Model GFS-112E U.V. Fluorescence SO₂ Analyzer,” operated at any temperature ranging from 15° C to 35° C and on any of the following measurement ranges: 0-0.05 ppm, 0-0.100 ppm, 0-0.200 ppm, 0-0.5 ppm, or 0-1.000 ppm.

An application for an equivalent method determination for the method based on the corresponding DKK analyzer was received by the EPA on June 21, 1999, and a notice of the receipt of this application was published in the Federal Register on October 12, 1999. The methods are available commercially from the applicant, DKK Corporation, 4-13-14, Kichijoji Kitamachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo, 180, JAPAN.

A test analyzer representative of this method has 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 an equivalent 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 available for inspection to the extent consistent with 40 CFR part 2 (EPA's regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act).

As a designated equivalent 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 and the specifications and limitations (e.g., operating temperature or measurement range) specified in the applicable designation method description (see the 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-94/0386.” 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 application for designation. In some cases, similar samplers or analyzers manufactured prior to the designation may be upgraded (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 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 PM_2.5 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-certified facility.

(i) An applicant who offers PM_2.5 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 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 these methods should be directed to the applicant.

Norine E. Noonan,

Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development.