[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 6968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3774]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5688-3]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods; 
Equivalent Method Designation

    Notice is hereby given that the EPA, in accordance with 40 CFR part 
53, has designated another equivalent method for the measurement of 
ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide. The new equivalent method is 
an automated method (analyzer) that utilizes a measurement principle 
based on pulsed UV fluorescence. The new designated method is 
identified as follows:
    EQSA-0197-114, ``Horiba Instruments, Incorporated, Model APSA-360 
Ambient SO2 Monitor,'' operated with a full scale range of 0-0.5 ppm, 
at any temperature in the range of 5  deg.C to 40  deg.C, with a Line 
Setting of ``MEASURE'', an Analog Output of ``MOMENTARY VALUE'', and 
with or without either of the following options: (1) Rack Mounting 
Plate and Side Rails, (2) RS-232 Communications Port.
    This method is available from Horiba Instruments, Incorporated, 
17671 Armstrong Avenue, Irvine, California 92714. The application for 
designation of this sulfur dioxide method was received on September 23, 
1996.
    A test analyzer representative of this method has been tested by 
the applicant, in accordance with the test procedures specified in 40 
CFR part 53. After reviewing the results of these tests and other 
information submitted by the applicant, the EPA has determined, in 
accordance with part 53, that this method should be designated as an 
equivalent method. The information submitted by the applicant will be 
kept on file at the 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 a designated equivalent method, this method is acceptable for 
use by States and other air monitoring agencies under requirements of 
40 CFR part 58, Ambient Air Quality Surveillance. For such purposes, 
the method must be used in strict accordance with the operation or 
instruction manual associated with the method and subject to any 
limitations (e.g., operating range) specified in the applicable 
designation (see description of the method above). Vendor modifications 
of a designated 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, this designation applies to any analyzer which is 
identical to the analyzer described in the designation. In many cases, 
similar analyzers manufactured prior to the designation may be upgraded 
(e.g., by minor modification or by substitution of a new operation or 
instruction manual) so as to be identical to the designated method and 
thus achieve designation status at a modest cost. The manufacturer 
should be consulted to determine the feasibility of such upgrading.
    Part 53 requires that sellers of designated methods comply with 
certain conditions. These conditions are given in 40 CFR 53.9 and are 
summarized below:
    (1) A copy of the approved operation or instruction manual must 
accompany the analyzer when it is delivered to the ultimate purchaser.
    (2) The analyzer must not generate any unreasonable hazard to 
operators or to the environment.
    (3) The analyzer must function within the limits of the performance 
specifications given in table B-1 of part 53 for at least one year 
after delivery when maintained and operated in accordance with the 
operation manual.
    (4) Any analyzer offered for sale as a reference or equivalent 
method must bear a label or sticker indicating that it has been 
designated as a reference or equivalent method in accordance with part 
53.
    (5) 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.
    (6) An applicant who offers analyzers for sale as reference or 
equivalent methods is required to maintain a list of ultimate purchases 
of such analyzers and to notify them within 30 days if a reference or 
equivalent method designation applicable to the analyzers has been 
canceled or if adjustment of the analyzers is necessary under 40 CFR 
53.11(b) to avoid a cancellation.
    (7) An applicant who modifies an analyzer previously designated as 
a reference or equivalent method is not permitted to sell the analyzer 
(as modified) as a reference or equivalent method (although he may 
choose to sell it without such representation), nor to attach a label 
or sticker to the analyzer (as modified) under the provisions described 
above, until he 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 he has applied for and received notice under 40 CFR 
53.8(b) of a new reference or equivalent method determination for the 
analyzer as modified.
    Aside from occasional breakdowns or malfunctions, consistent or 
repeated noncompliance with any of these conditions should be reported 
to: Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Department E (MD-
77B), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, 
North Carolina 27711.
    Designation of this equivalent method will provide assistance to 
the States in establishing and operating their air quality surveillance 
systems under part 58. Technical questions concerning the method should 
be directed to the manufacturer. Additional information concerning this 
action may be obtained from Frank F. McElroy, Air Measurements Research 
Division (MD-77B), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 
27711, (919) 541-2622.

    Dated: February 6, 1997.
Robert J. Huggett,
Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 97-3774 Filed 2-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M