[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 146 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38184-38185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18388]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8934-6]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of the designation of one new reference method and two 
new equivalent methods 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 
reference method for measuring concentrations of oxides of nitrogen 
(NO<INF>X</INF>) in the ambient air and two new equivalent methods, one 
for measuring concentrations of ozone (O<INF>3</INF>) in the ambient 
air and one for measuring concentrations of sulfur dioxide 
(SO<INF>2</INF>) 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, e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#63280216100b0a084d301611060d070611230613024d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="52193327213a3b397c012720373c363720123722337c353d24">[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 reference 
method for measuring NO<INF>X</INF> in the ambient air and two new 
equivalent methods, one for measuring

[[Page 38185]]

concentrations of O<INF>3</INF> in the ambient air and one for 
measuring SO<INF>2</INF> in the ambient air. These designations are 
made under the provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as amended on December 18, 
2006 (71 FR 61271).
    The new reference method for NO<INF>X</INF> is an automated method 
(analyzer) utilizing the measurement principle based on gas phase 
chemiluminescence and the calibration procedure specified in Appendix F 
of 40 CFR part 50. This newly designated reference method is identified 
as follows:

    RFNA-0809-186, ``Ecotech Serinus 40 Oxides of Nitrogen 
Analyzer'', operated in the range of 0-0.5 ppm, with a five-micron 
Teflon[supreg] filter element installed, and with the following 
selected: Control Loop-Enabled, Diagnostic Mode-Operate, Pres/Temp/
Flow Compensation-Enabled, Span Compensation-Disabled, with 
concentration automatically corrected for temperature and pressure 
changes, and operated according to the Serinus 40 Oxides of Nitrogen 
Analyzer User Manual.

    The new equivalent method for O<INF>3</INF> is an automated method 
that utilizes a measurement principle based on non-dispersive 
ultraviolet absorption photometry. The newly designated equivalent 
method for O<INF>3</INF> is identified as follows:

    EQOA-0809-187, ``Ecotech Serinus 10 Ozone Analyzer'', operated 
in the range of 0-0.5 ppm, with a five-micron Teflon[supreg] filter 
element installed, and with the following selected: Control Loop-
Enabled, Diagnostic Mode-Operate, Pres/Temp/Flow Compensation-
Enabled, Span Compensation-Disabled, with concentration 
automatically corrected for temperature and pressure changes, and 
operated according to the Serinus 10 Ozone Analyzer User Manual.

    The new equivalent method for SO<INF>2</INF> is an automated method 
(analyzer) that utilizes a measurement principle based on ultraviolet 
fluorescence. The newly designated equivalent method for SO<INF>2</INF> 
is identified as follows:

    EQSA-0809-188, ``Ecotech Serinus 50 Sulfur Dioxide Analyzer'', 
operated in the range of 0-0.5 ppm, with a five-micron 
Teflon[supreg] filter element installed, and with the following 
selected: Background-Enabled, Control Loop-Enabled, Diagnostic Mode-
Operate, Pres/Temp/Flow Compensation-Enabled, Span Compensation-
Disabled, with concentration automatically corrected for temperature 
and pressure changes, and operated according to the Serinus 50 
Sulfur Dioxide Analyzer User Manual.

    Applications for the reference method and equivalent method 
determinations for these candidate methods were received by the EPA on 
March 19, 2008, April 22, 2009 and June 22, 2009, respectively. The 
monitors are commercially available from the applicant, Ecotech Pty. 
Ltd., 1492 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield, Victoria, 3180, Australia.
    Test analyzers representative of these methods have been tested in 
accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR Part 
53 (as amended on December 18, 2006). After reviewing the results of 
those tests and other information submitted by the applicant in the 
respective applications, EPA has determined, in accordance with Part 
53, that these methods should be designated as a reference or 
equivalent method, as appropriate. The information submitted by the 
applicant in the respective applications 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 designated reference or equivalent 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 and 
subject to any specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or 
operational settings) specified in the applicable designated method 
description (see the identifications of the methods above).
    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). Vendor modifications of a 
designated 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 (Modifications of Methods by Users) of Appendix C to 40 CFR 
Part 58.
    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 or 
converted (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. The manufacturer 
should be consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading or 
conversion.
    Part 53 requires that sellers of designated reference or equivalent 
method analyzers or samplers comply with certain conditions. These 
conditions are specified in 40 CFR 53.9.
    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-
E205-01), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
    Designation of these new reference and equivalent 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 the method should 
be directed to the applicant.

Jewel F. Morris,
Acting Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. E9-18388 Filed 7-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


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