99-15979. Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of Three New Reference Methods for PMINF10/INF  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 33481-33482]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-15979]
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    [FRL-6365-1]
    
    
    Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: 
    Designation of Three New Reference Methods for PM10
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
    
    ACTION: Notice of designation.
    
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    SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
    Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, three 
    new reference methods (samplers) for measuring concentrations of 
    PM10 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: (919) 541-2622, email: mcelroy.frank@epamail.epa.gov.
    
    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 three new reference 
    methods for measuring PM10 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 methods for PM10 are manual monitoring 
    methods based on particular commercially available PM10 
    samplers. The newly designated methods are identified as follows:
        RFPS-0699-130, ``Andersen Instruments, Incorporated Model RAAS10-
    100 Single Channel Reference Method PM10 Sampler,'' with 
    RAAS-10 PM10 inlet, configured as a PM10 
    reference method, and operated for 24-hour continuous sample periods at 
    a flow rate of 16.67 liters/minute, in accordance with the Model 
    RAAS10-100 Operator's Manual and with the requirements and sample 
    collection filters specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J or Appendix 
    M.
        RFPS-0699-131, ``Andersen Instruments, Incorporated Model RAAS10-
    200 Single Channel Reference Method PM10 Audit Sampler,'' 
    with RAAS-10 PM10 inlet, configured as a PM10 
    reference method, and operated for 24-hour continuous sample periods at 
    a flow rate of 16.67 liters/minute, in accordance with the Model 
    RAAS10-200 Operator's Manual and with the requirements and sample 
    collection filters specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J or Appendix 
    M.
        RFPS-0699-132, ``Andersen Instruments, Incorporated Model RAAS10-
    300 Multi Channel Sequential Reference Method PM10 
    Sampler,'' with RAAS-10 PM10 inlet, configured as a 
    PM10 reference method, and operated for 24-hour continuous 
    sample periods at a flow rate of 16.67 liters/minute, in accordance 
    with the Model RAAS10-300 Operator's Manual and with the requirements 
    and sample collection filters specified in 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix J 
    or Appendix M.
        An application for reference method determinations for the methods 
    based on the corresponding Andersen Instruments PM10 
    samplers was received by the EPA on September 18, 1998, and a notice of 
    the receipt of this application was published in the Federal Register 
    on December 17, 1998. The methods are available commercially from the 
    applicant, Andersen Instruments, Incorporated; 500 Technology Court; 
    Smyrna, GA 30082.
    
    [[Page 33482]]
    
        Test samplers representative of these methods 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 these methods should 
    be designated as reference methods. 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 designated reference 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, the specifications and 
    limitations (e.g., sample period or flow rate) specified in the 
    applicable designation method description (see identifications of the 
    methods above), and the specifications and requirements set forth in 
    Appendixes J or M to 40 CFR Part 50. Use of the method should also be 
    in general accordance with the guidance and recommendations of 
    applicable sections of the ``Quality Assurance Guidance Document 2.12'' 
    and ``Quality Assurance Guidance Document 2.10.'' 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 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-certified 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 these reference 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 these methods should be directed 
    to the applicant.
    Henry L. Longest II,
    Acting Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
    [FR Doc. 99-15979 Filed 6-22-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/23/1999
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of designation.
Document Number:
99-15979
Pages:
33481-33482 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FRL-6365-1
PDF File:
99-15979.pdf