janice K. Brewer Governor May 30,2014 Meredith Kurpius Air Division U.S. EPA Region 9 75 Hawthorne Street 

## ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF 

## ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 1110 West Washington Street • Phoenix, Arizona 85007 (602) 771-2300 • www.azdeq.gov

San Francisco, CA 94105 Henry R. Darwin Director

Re: Certification of2013 Ambient Air Data in AQS Database Reported by ADEQ Dear Ms. Kurpius: The purpose ofthis letter is to certifythe ambient air quality monitoring data collected and 

### I or reportedbythe Arizona Department ofEnvironmental Quality (ADEQ) to the EPA Air Quality System (AQS) database for calendar year 2013. Attached are the required AQS reports which include the Data Certification Report (AMP600) and the Non-Criteria Quiqklook Report (AMP450NC). The precision data for Nogales Post Office (04-023-0004) for PM2.s BAM was changed for fourth quarter 2012. The parameter code 88101 that was used was incorrect and was updated to be 88501, due to the zero test notbeing completed until2013. ADEQ operates a trace level carbonmonoxide (CO) monitor atthe JLG Phoenix Supersite (04- 013-9997) as part oftheNCore requirements. The COTL analyzer, as well as the gas calibration system, experienced some difficulties throughout 2011 an4 2012. This was observed with the COTL not always meeting the 30 ppb acceptance criteria during zero drift verification checks. Nearly 50 percent ofthese zero drift checks were between 30-100 ppb. Additionally, there were moisture issues withthe zero air scrubbers for the gas calibration systemused to perform checks. These issues were corrected and dealt with into mid-April2013 until the COTL analyzer, as well as the gas calibration system, were replaced in April2013. ADEQ's Air Monitoring Unit (AMU) experiencedtemperature stabilization issues withthe newinstrument during the hot summer months, which caused challenges in meeting the zero drift checks. These issues were resolved by the end ofthird quarter on 9/19/13. Forthe entire year of2013, amajority ofthese zero drift checks were withinthe required 30 ppb limit. In summary, there is approximately 11 months of valid and certifiable data for 2013. The data were invalidated from 111113 to 1/25/13; qualified (but validated) from 1/25/13 to 9/19/13; and validated from 9/19/13 to 12/31/13.

Southern Regional Office 400 West Congress Street • Suite 433 • Tucson, AZ 8S701 (S20) 628-6733 Printed on recycledpaperPage 2 of3
The S02 instrument at JLG Supersite (04-013-9997) had an issue during2013. An audit performed on 11/21113 failed. A previous audit on 8/13/13 also failed. These two failed audits were due to an error in the calibratorused bythe AMU to calibrate the Ecotech EC 9850T S02 Analyzer. The next passing audit was performed on2/27114. In summary, the calibrator was set up to correct for a balance gas otherthan the normal nitrogen. This caused the calibratorto outputtest gas at a lower concentrationthan indicated onthe calibrator. As a result, the output concentration was offby a factor of0.687. This caused all readings from 6/13/13.to 3/6/14 to be lowbythe same factor of0.687. The calibrator issue is now fixed, butthe data had to be adjusted. The parameters S02TLand S02TL.MAX5MINthat were

**alr~ady** in AQS were updated by a factor of 1/0.687 for the dates of06/13/13 to 09/30/13. The fourth quarter data (10/01/13 to 12/31/13) were correctedpriorto loading into AQS. The Xontec 924 Toxic Air Sampler used to measure Hexavalent Chromium at JLG Supersite (04-013-9997) was discontinued at the end ofthird quarter 2013. Thispollutant is no longer required for the NATTS program and is no longer monitoredbyADEQ. The AMP600 report recommends a "No" for the monitors 04-013-9997-42101 (for CO) and 04- 013-9997-42602 (forN02 ) based on "Quality Assurance ProjectPlan (QAPP) not approved in 10 years." ADEQ received conditional approval oftheN02QAPP onMay 291 h, 2014. Also, ADEQ is inthe process ofcompleting the CO QAPP andplans to have it submitted by the end of June 2014. We have submitted thatboth ofthese monitors' data should be considered for regulatory purposes as all the QA/QC requirements, otherthanhaving a current QAPP, are being met. Nogales Post Office (04-023-0004) PM2.s BAM and Miami GolfCourse (04-007-8000) TEOM showed issues related to flow rate audit completeness inthe AMP600. These issues have been addressedinthe comments added to the Certification area ofAQS and onthe AMP 600 report. Taking into considerationthe exceptions mentioned above, I certify that for the ambient concentration data and the required quality assurance data are completely submittedto AQS and that the ambient data are accurate to the best ofmy knowledge, taking into considerationthe quality assurance findings. Please contact Heather Colson, Unit Manager for DataManagement & Quality Assurance Unit, at 602-771-4488 ifyouhave questions about any aboutthe information in AQS.

assey, Director ality Division

### Page 3 of3 Enclosures
cc: Jennifer Williams, USEPA Region 9 Fletcher Clover, USEPA Region 9 TheresaRigney, ADEQ Heather Colson, ADEQ