97-18578. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18578]



[[Page 38761]]

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Part III





Environmental Protection Agency





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40 CFR Part 50



National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter; 
Availability of Supplemental Information and Request for Comments; 
Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 138 / Friday, July 18, 1997 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 38762]]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 50
[AD-FRL-5725-4]


National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule; availability of supplemental information and 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: EPA is announcing the availability of certain laboratory and 
field test data, and related reports associated with the development of 
the reference method (Appendix L of 40 CFR part 50) for measuring 
PM2.5 in the ambient air. Because these data were collected, 
by necessity, during and after the close of the public comment period 
on the proposed revisions to the national ambient air quality standards 
for particulate matter and thus, were not available for placement in 
Docket No. A-95-54 until late in the rulemaking process, EPA is 
announcing a supplemental comment period for the limited purpose of 
taking comments on these field and laboratory test results only.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments (duplicate copies preferred) to: 
Office of Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102), Attn: 
Docket No. A-95-54, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John H. Haines, MD-15, Air Quality 
Strategies and Standards Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and 
Standards, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 
27711, telephone: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail] 
or Neil H. Frank, MD-14, Emissions, Monitoring and Analysis Division, 
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Environmental Protection 
Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, telephone: [phone], e-
mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Elsewhere in today's issue of the Federal 
Register, EPA is publishing the final rule (FRL-5725-2) revising the 
national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter. In Unit 
VI.B. (Appendix L--New Reference Method for PM2.5) of the 
preamble to the final rule, EPA concluded that the proposed design and 
performance specifications for the reference sampler, with 
modifications described in the final rule, will achieve the design 
objectives set forth in the proposal. Accordingly, EPA has adopted the 
sampler and other method requirements specified in the revised Appendix 
L as the reference method for measuring PM2.5 in the ambient 
air. As discussed in the preamble to the final rule, a series of field 
tests were performed using prototype samplers manufactured in 
accordance with the proposed design and performance specifications. The 
results of these field tests confirmed that the prototype samplers 
perform in accordance with design expectations. Operational experience 
gained through these field tests did, however, identify the need for 
minor modifications as discussed in the preamble to the final rule. As 
explained in that preamble, EPA made other modifications to the 
proposed design and performance specification in response to public 
comment. As part of this process, EPA performed laboratory tests to 
ensure that the modifications achieved the intended objective. While 
the results of the field and laboratory tests were largely confirmatory 
in nature and did not indicate a need to alter the basic design and 
performance specifications, they did identify areas that needed further 
refinement. Given that these tests were performed, by necessity, during 
and after the close of the public comment period and because the 
results were not available for placement in the docket until late in 
the rulemaking process, the preamble to the final rule announced that a 
supplemental comment period would be held for the limited purpose of 
taking comments on these field and laboratory tests results. The 
following documents present the results of the field and laboratory 
tests and associated analyses that EPA considered, as discussed in Unit 
VI.B. of the preamble to the final rule, in making minor modifications 
or other refinements to the proposed reference method for measuring 
PM2.5 in the ambient air. The documents are:
    1. Adaptation of the Low-Flowrate, PM10, Dichotomous 
Sampler Inlet to Fine Particle Collection.
    2. Filter Temperature Specification Report.
    3. Flow Rate Specification Report.
    4. Laboratory and Field Evaluation of FRM Sampler Report.
    5. Prototype PM2.5 Federal Reference Method Field 
Studies Report.
    These documents have been entered into Docket No. A-95-54 and are 
available for inspection and copying at the Office of Air and Radiation 
Docket and Information Office at the address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the 
beginning of this document. Copies may also be obtained by contacting 
Neil H. Frank at the address in ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.'' It 
is emphasized that this supplemental comment period is for the limited 
purpose of taking comment on the documents specified in this document 
only. Comments on the reference method for PM2.5 that go 
beyond the scope of these specific documents will not be considered. 
Upon close of the supplemental comment period, EPA will consider the 
comments received and decide whether any further action is appropriate.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 50

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
Lead, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Sulfur oxides.

    (Authority: Secs. 108 and 109, Clean Air Act, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 7408, 7409)).

    Dated: July 16, 1997.

Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.

[FR Doc. 97-18578 Filed: 7-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F