2017-09534. Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Equivalent Method

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice of the designation of a new equivalent method for monitoring ambient air quality.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with applicable Federal regulations, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) in ambient air.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert Vanderpool, Exposure Methods and Measurement Division (MD-D205-03), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. Email: [e-mail].

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 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. A list of all reference or equivalent methods that have been previously designated by EPA may be found at http://www.epa.gov/​ttn/​amtic/​criteria.html.

The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of NO₂ in ambient air. This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on October 26, 2015 (80 FR 65291-65468).

The new equivalent method for NO₂ is an automated method (analyzer) and is identified as follows:

EQNA-0217-243, “2B Technologies, Model 405 nm NO₂/NO/NO_X Monitor,” operated in a range of 0-500 ppb, operated at temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C, with temperature and pressure compensation, with internal DewLine for humidity control, with averaging times from 5 seconds to 1 hour, with a 110-220V AC power adapter or a 12V DC source, operated in accordance with the instrument manual, and with or without the following: Auto zeroing, external PTFE inlet filter and holder, cigarette lighter adapter or a 12V DC battery for portable operation, serial data communication, 0-2.5V or scalable analog output, external communication and monitoring interfaces, internal data logger, removable memory device for data recording and backup.

An application for the equivalent method determination for this candidate method was received by the EPA on January 23, 2017. This analyzer is commercially available from the applicant, 2B Technologies, 2100 Central Ave., Suite 105, Boulder, CO 80301.

Representative test analyzers have been tested in accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR part 53, as amended on October 26, 2015. After reviewing the results of those tests and other information submitted by the applicants in the respective applications, EPA has determined, in accordance with Part 53, that this method should be designated as a reference method or equivalent method, as appropriate.

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 subject to any specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or operational settings) specified in the designated method description (see the identification of the method above).

Use of the method 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-13-003, (both available at http://www.epa.gov/​ttn/​amtic/​qalist.html). 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 with any of these conditions should be reported to: Director, Exposure Methods and Measurement 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: March 6, 2017.

Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,

Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.