[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11404-11405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6720]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5440-7]
Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods;
Reference and Equivalent Method Designations
Notice is hereby given that the EPA, in accordance with 40 CFR part
53, has designated one additional reference method and two additional
equivalent methods for ambient air monitoring. The reference method is
for the measurement of ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. The
first equivalent method is for the measurement of ambient
concentrations of ozone. The other equivalent is for the determination
of lead in suspended particulate matter collected from ambient air.
The new reference method for nitrogen dioxide is an automated
method (analyzer) which utilizes the measurement principle based on the
chemiluminescent reaction between nitric oxide and ozone and the
calibration procedure specified in Appendix F of 40 CFR part 50. This
new designated method is identified as follows:
RFNA-0196-111, ``Horiba Instruments, Incorporated Model APNA-360
Ambient NO-NO2-NOx Monitor,'' operated with a full scale
range of 0-0.5 ppm, at any temperature in the range of 10 deg.C to 40
deg.C, with a Line Setting of ``MEASURE'', and an Analog Output of
``MONETARY VALUE'', and with or without the optional Rack Mounting
Plate and Side Rails.
The new equivalent method for ozone is an automated method
(analyzer) which utilizes the measurement principle based on the
absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone at a wavelength of 254 nm
and the calibration procedure specified in Appendix C of 40 CFR part
50. This new designated method is identified as follows:
EQOA-0196-112, ``Horiba Instruments, Incorporated Model APOA-360
Ambient Ozone Monitor,'' operated with a full scale range of 0-0.5 ppm,
at any temperature in the range of 10 deg.C to 40 deg.C, with a Line
Setting of ``MEASURE'', and an Analog Output of ``MOMENTARY VALUE'',
and with or without the optional Rack Mounting Plate and Side Rails.
These two automated methods are available from Horiba Instruments,
Incorporated, 17671 Armstrong Avenue, Irvine, California 92714. The
applications for designation of these nitrogen dioxide and ozone
methods were received on September 15, 1995 and August 21, 1995
respectively.
A test analyzer representative of each of these methods has been
tested by the applicant, in accordance with the test procedures
specified in 40 CFR part 53. After reviewing the results of those tests
and other information submitted by the applicant, EPA has determined,
in accordance with part 53, that these methods should be designated as
a reference method and an equivalent method, respectively.
The new equivalent method for the determination of lead in
suspended particulate matter collected from ambient air is identified
as follows:
EQL-0196-113, ``Determination of Lead Concentration in Ambient
particulate Matter by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma-Optical Emission
Spectrometry (Doe Run Company).''
The applicant's request for an equivalent method determination for
the above method was received on July 11, 1995. This method has been
tested by the applicant, the Doe Run Company, Smelting Division,
Herculaneum, Missouri, in accordance with the test procedures
prescribed in 40 CFR part 53. After reviewing the results of these
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.
This method uses the sampling procedure specified in the reference
method for the determination of lead in suspended particulate matter
collected from ambient air (40 CFR 50, Appendix G). In this method,
lead in the particulate matter is solubilized by extraction with nitric
acid facilitated by heat. The lead content of the sample extract is
analyzed with a Baird ICP 2000 inductively coupled argon plasma--
optical emission spectrometer operating at a frequency of 40.68 MHz and
using the 220.353 nm lead adsortion line. The instrumental operating
conditions have been optimized by the user-laboratory. Technical
questions concerning this method should be directed to the Doe Run
Company, Smelting Division, 881 Main Street, Herculaneum, Missouri
63048.
The information submitted by these applicants 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 reference or equivalent method, each of these
methods is acceptable for use by states and other air monitoring
agencies under the requirements of 40 CFR part 58,
[[Page 11405]]
Ambient Air Quality Surveillance. For such purposes, the method must be
used in strict accordance with the operation or instuction manual
associated with the method or the procedures and specifications
provided in the method description and subject to any limitations
(e.g., operating temperature range) specified in the applicable
designation (see identification of the methods above). Vendor
modifications of a designated 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, an automated method designation applies to any analyzer
which is identical to the analyzer described in the designation. In
some cases, similar 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. States or other agencies wishing to use a method
similar to the new lead equivalent method that employs procedures and
specifications significantly different from those in EQL-0196-113 must
seek specific approval for their particular method under the provisions
of Section 2.8 of Appendix C to 40 CFR part 58 (Modification of Methods
by Users), or agencies may seek designation of such a method as an
equivalent method under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53.
Part 53 requires that sellers of designated method analyzers comply
with certain conditions. These conditions are given in 40 CFR 53.9 and
are summarized below:
(1) A copy of the approved operation or instruction manual must
accompany the analyzer when it is delivered to the ultimate purchaser.
(2) The analyzer must not generate any unreasonable hazard to
operators or to the environment.
(3) The analyzer must function within the limits of the performance
specifications given in Table B-1 of part 53 for at least one year
after delivery when maintained and operated in accordance with the
operation manual.
(4) Any analyzer offered for sale as a reference or equivalent
method must bear a label or sticker indicating that it has been
designated as a reference or equivalent method in accordance with part
53.
(5) 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.
(6) An applicant who offers analyzers for sale as reference or
equivalent methods is required to maintain a list of ultimate
purchasers of such analyzers and to notify them within 30 days if a
reference or equivalent method designation applicable to the analyzer
has been canceled or if adjustment of the analyzer is necessary under
40 CFR part 53.11(b) to avoid a cancellation.
(7) an applicant who modifies an analyzer previously designated as
a reference or equivalent method is not permitted to sell the analyzer
(as modified) as a reference or equivalent method (although he may
choose to sell it without such representation), nor to attach a label
or sticker to the analyzer (as modified) under the provisions described
above, until he has received notice under 40 CFR part 53.14(c) that the
original designation or a new designation applies to the method as
modified, or until he has applied for and received notice under 40 CFR
53.8(b) of a new reference or equivalent method determination for the
analyzer as modified.
Aside from occasional breakdown or malfunctions, consistent or
repeated noncompliance with any of these conditions should be reported
to: Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Air Measurements
Research Division (MD-78A), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
Desingation of these reference and equivalent methods is intended
to assist the States in establishing and operating their air quality
surveillance systems under part 58. Technical questions concerning any
of the methods should be directed to the appropriate applicant.
Additional information concerning this action may be obtained from
Frank F. McElroy, Air Measurements Research Division (MD-77), National
Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, (919) 541-2622.
Joseph K. Alexander,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 96-6720 Filed 3-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M
