[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 42 (Thursday, March 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 9894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-4547]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9121-6]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of the designation of one new equivalent method for 
monitoring ambient air quality.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, one new 
equivalent method for measuring concentrations of lead (Pb) in total 
suspended particulate matter (TSP) in the ambient air.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Surender Kaushik, Human Exposure and 
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-D205-03), National Exposure Research 
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. 
Phone: (919) 541-5691, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ffb49e8a8c979694d1ac8a8d9a919b9a8dbf9a8f9ed1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="42092337312a2b296c113730272c262730022732236c252d34">[email protected]</span></a>.

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 methods 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.
    The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new equivalent 
method for measuring lead (Pb) in total suspended particulate matter 
(TSP) in the ambient air. This designation is made under the provisions 
of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on November 12, 2008 (73 FR 67057-67059).
    The method is identified as follows:
EQL-0310-189, ``Procedure for Determination of Lead in Ambient Air TSP 
by Hot Plate Acid Extraction and ICP-MS Analysis.''
    In this method, total suspended particulate matter (TSP) is 
collected according to 40 CFR Appendix B to part 50, EPA Reference 
Method for the Determination of Suspended Particulate Matter in the 
Atmosphere (High-Volume Method), extracted on a hot plate with 3M 
HNO<INF>3</INF> according to 40 CFR Appendix G to part 50, EPA 
Reference Method for the Determination of Lead in Suspended Particulate 
Matter Collected from Ambient Air, and analyzed by Inductively Coupled 
Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) based on EPA SW-846 Method 6020A.
    The application for an equivalent method determination for this 
method was submitted by Inter-Mountain Laboratories, Incorporated, 1673 
Terra Avenue, Sheridan, WY 82801 and was received by the Office of 
Research and Development on December 16, 2009.
    The analytical procedure of this method has been tested in 
accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR part 
53, as amended on November 12, 2008. After reviewing the results of 
those tests and other information submitted in the application, EPA has 
determined, in accordance with part 53, that this method should be 
designated as an equivalent method for lead. The information provided 
by the applicant will be kept on file, either at EPA's National 
Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 
27711 or in an approved archive storage facility, and will be available 
for inspection (with advance notice) 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 complete 
operating procedures (SOPs) associated with the method and subject to 
any specifications and limitations specified in the procedure.
    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 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-08-003, December, 2008 (available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qabook.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.
    Repeated noncompliance with the method procedure/SOP should be 
reported to: Director, Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences 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 technical 
aspects of the method should be directed to the applicant.

Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2010-4547 Filed 3-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


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