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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32632-32633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13350]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9680-3]

Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: 
Designation of Three New Equivalent Methods

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 equivalent methods: One for measuring concentrations of nitrogen 
dioxide (NO2) and two for measuring concentrations of lead 
(Pb) in the ambient air.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Vanderpool, Human Exposure and 
Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD-D205-03), National Exposure Research 
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. 
Email: Vanderpool.Robert@epa.gov. Phone: 919-541-7877. Written 
inquiries are strongly preferred.

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 three new equivalent 
methods for measuring pollutant concentrations in the ambient air: One 
for NO2 and two for Pb. These designations are made under 
the provisions of 40 CFR Part 53, as amended on August 31, 2011 (76 FR 
54326- 54341).
    The new equivalent method for NO2 is an automated method 
(analyzer) utilizing the measurement principle based on gas phase 
chemiluminescence reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with ozone, using a 
photolytic NO2 to NO converter and the calibration procedure 
specified in the operation manual.
    (Note that this NO2 equivalent method differs from the 
automated NO2 reference method by its use of a photolytic 
NO2 to NO converter. This is the first NO2 
equivalent method designated with this type of converter). This newly 
designated equivalent method is identified as follows:
    EQNA-0512-200, ``Teledyne--Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Inc. 
Model 200EUP or T200UP Chemiluminescence Nitrogen Oxides Analyzer'', 
operated on any full scale range between 0-50 ppb and 0-1000 ppb, with 
any range mode (Single, Independent, or AutoRange), at any ambient 
temperature in the range of 20 [deg]C to 30 [deg]C, with software 
Temperature and Pressure compensation ON, in accordance with the 
associated instrument manual; and with or without any of the following 
options: Zero/Span Valves, standard serial port (RS232/RS485) or Multi-
drop RS-232, Ethernet port, USB COM port, analog inputs, digital status 
outputs, analog outputs: 100 mV, 1V, 5V, 10V, 4-20 mA current loop 
outputs.
    The application for equivalent method determination for the 
NO2 method was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on October 4, 2011. These analyzer models are commercially 
available from the applicant, Teledyne-API, 9480 Carroll Park Drive San 
Diego, CA 92121-5201.
    One of the new equivalent methods for Pb is a manual method that 
uses the sampling procedure specified in the Reference Method for the 
Determination of Lead in Suspended Particulate Matter Collected From 
Ambient Air (High-Volume Sampler), 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix G, with a 
different extraction and analytical procedure. The method is identified 
as follows:

EQL-0512-201, ``Determination of Lead in TSP by Inductively Coupled 
Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) With Hot Block Dilute Acid and 
Hydrogen Peroxide Filter Extraction''

    In this method, total suspended particulate matter (TSP) is 
collected on glass fiber filters 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. The filter samples are 
extracted in a hot block at 95 [deg]C with a solution of dilute 
hydrochloric acid and nitric acid and two aliquots of hydrogen 
peroxide, for a total of two and a half hours extraction time. The 
samples are brought to a final volume of 50 mL and the lead content of 
the sample extract is analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass 
Spectrometry (ICP-MS) based on EPA Compendium Method IO-3.5 and SW-846 
Method 6020A.
    The other new equivalent method for Pb is a manual method that uses 
the sampling procedure specified in the Reference Method (FRM) for the 
Determination of Lead in Particulate Matter as PM10 
Collected From Ambient Air, 40 CFR Part 50, Appendix Q, with a 
different extraction and analytical procedure. The method is identified 
as follows:

EQL-0512-202, ``Determination of Lead in PM[bdi1][bdi0] by Inductively 
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) with Hot Block Dilute Acid 
and Hydrogen Peroxide Filter Extraction''

    In this method, PM10 particulate matter is collected on 
Teflon[supreg] membrane filters according to 40 CFR Appendix Q to part 
50, EPA Reference

[[Page 32633]]

Method for the Determination of Lead in Particulate Matter as 
PM10 Collected From Ambient Air. The filter samples are 
extracted in a hot block at 95 [deg]C with a solution of hydrochloric 
acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid and an aliquot of hydrogen 
peroxide for a total of two and a half hours extraction time. Samples 
are brought to a final volume of 50 mL and analyzed by Inductively 
Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) based on EPA Compendium 
Method IO-3.5 and SW-846 Method 6020A.
    The applications for equivalent method determinations for these Pb 
methods were submitted by Eastern Research Group, Inc., 601 Keystone 
Park Drive, Suite 700, Morrisville, NC 27560 and were received by the 
EPA's Office of Research and Development on October 4, 2011. The method 
descriptions will be available at http://www.epa.gov/ttnamti1/pb-monitoring.html.
    A representative test analyzer for the NO2 method and 
the analytical procedures for the Pb methods have been tested in 
accordance with the applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR Part 
53, as amended on August 31, 2011. After reviewing the results of those 
tests and other information submitted in the applications, EPA has 
determined, in accordance with Part 53, that each of these methods 
should be designated as an equivalent method. The information in the 
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 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, 
the methods must be used in strict accordance with the operation manual 
(NO2 method) or the standard operating procedures associated 
with each of the Pb methods and are subject to any specifications and 
limitations specified in the applicable designated method description 
(see the identifications of the methods above).
    Use of the methods 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-08-003, December, 2008. 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 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 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 methods should be directed to 
the applicants.

    Dated: May 23, 2012.
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2012-13350 Filed 5-31-12; 8:45 am]
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