Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 73 /Thursday, April 16, 1998 / Notices 18911

provides access to the texts of formal

documents issued by the Commission.

The complete text on diskette in

WordPerfect format may be purchased

from the Commission’s copy contractor,

La Dorn Systems Corporation. La Dorn

Systems Corporation is located in the

Public Reference Room at 888 First

Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,

Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98–10083 Filed 4–15–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717–01–M

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

[FRL–5997–6]

Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and

Equivalent Methods; Designation of

Three Reference Methods for PM2.5

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency.

ACTION: Notice of designation.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that

the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) has designated, in accordance

with 40 CFR part 53, three new

reference methods for the measurement

of PM2.5 concentrations in the ambient

air.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Frank F. McElroy, Human Exposure and

Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD–

46), National Exposure Research

Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle

Park, North Carolina 27711. Phone:

(919) 541–2622, email:

mcelroy.frank@epamail.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA

announces the designation of three new

reference methods for measuring mass

concentrations of particulate matter as

PM2.5 in the ambient air. These

designations are made under the

provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as

amended on July 18, 1997 (62 FR

38764). Each of the new reference

methods is a manual monitoring method

based on a particular PM2.5 sampler. The

new methods are identified as follows:

RFPS–0498–116, ‘‘BGI Incorporated

Model PQ200 PM2.5 Ambient Fine

Particle Sampler,’’ operated with

software version 1.4, for 24-hour

continuous sample periods, in

accordance with the Model PQ200

Instruction Manual and with the

requirements and sample collection

filters specified in 40 CFR Part 50,

Appendix L.

RFPS–0498–117, ‘‘Rupprecht &

Patashnick Company, Incorporated

Partisol–FRM Model 2000 PM–2.5 Air

Sampler,’’ operated with software

version 1.102, with or without the

optional insulating jacket for cold

weather operation, for 24-hour

continuous sample periods, in

accordance with the Model 2000

Instruction Manual and with the

requirements and sample collection

filters specified in 40 CFR Part 50,

Appendix L.

RFPS–0498–118, ‘‘Rupprecht &

Patashnick Company, Incorporated

Partisol–Plus Model 2025 PM–2.5

Sequential Air Sampler,’’ operated with

software version 1.003, for 24-hour

continuous sample periods, in

accordance with the Model 2025

Instruction Manual and with the

requirements and sample collection

filters specified in 40 CFR Part 50,

Appendix L.

Applications for reference method

determinations for these methods were

received by the EPA on October 8, 1997

for the BGI method, and on October 7,

1997 for the Rupprecht & Patashnick

methods. A notice of receipt for these

applications was published in the

Federal Register on February 10, 1998.

The BGI method (RFPS–0498–116) is

‘‘conditionally’’ designated under the

provisions of § 53.51(b)(2), which allows

the applicant up to one year following

designation to complete the process of

obtaining ISO 9001 registration of its

sampler manufacturing facility. BGI

Incorporated is currently in the very

final stage of that registration process.

This method is available commercially

from the applicant, BGI Incorporated, 58

Guinan Street, Waltham, MA 02154.

The other two methods listed are

available commercially from the

associated applicant, Rupprecht &

Patashnick Company, Incorporated

(R&P), 25 Corporate Circle, Albany, NY

12203.

Test samplers representative of these

methods have been tested by the

respective applicants, BGI Incorporated

and R&P, in accordance with the test

procedures specified in 40 CFR part 53

(as amended on July 18, 1997). After

reviewing the results of those tests and

other information submitted by the

applicants, EPA has determined, in

accordance with part 53, that these

methods should be designated as

reference methods. The information

submitted by the applicants will be kept

on file at 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 reference method,

each of these methods 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 specifications and

requirements set forth in Appendix L to

40 CFR part 50, the operation or

instruction manual associated with the

method, and the specifications and

limitations (e.g., sample period)

specified in the applicable designation

method description (see identification

of the methods above). Use of the

method should also be in general

accordance with the guidance and

recommendations of Quality Assurance

Guidance Document 2.12, which is part

of the Quality Assurance Handbook for

Air Pollution Measurement Systems,

Volume II (EPA/600/R–94/038b).

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, a method designation

applies to any sampler or analyzer

which is identical to the sampler or

analyzer described in the designation. In

some cases, similar samplers or

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 designated

status at a modest cost. The

manufacturer should be consulted to

determine the feasibility of such

upgrading.

Part 53 requires that sellers of

designated method analyzers or

samplers comply with certain

conditions. These conditions are given

in 40 CFR 53.9 and are summarized

below for PM2.5 methods:

(1) A copy of the approved operation

or instruction manual must accompany

the sampler or analyzer when it is

delivered to the ultimate purchaser.

(2) The sampler or analyzer must not

generate any unreasonable hazard to

operators or to the environment.

(3) The sampler or analyzer must

function within the limits of the

applicable performance specifications

given in parts 50 and 53 for at least one

year after delivery when maintained and

operated in accordance with the

operation or instruction manual.

(4) Any sampler or analyzer offered

for sale as part of a reference or

equivalent method must bear a label or

sticker indicating that it has been

designated as part of a reference or
18912 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 73 /Thursday, April 16, 1998 / Notices

equivalent method in accordance with

part 53 and show its designated method

identification number.

(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 samplers

or analyzers for sale as part of a

reference or equivalent method is

required to maintain a list of ultimate

purchasers of such samplers or

analyzers and to notify them within 30

days if a reference or equivalent method

designation applicable to the method

has been canceled or if adjustment of

the sampler or analyzer is necessary

under 40 CFR 53.11(b) to avoid a

cancellation.

(7) An applicant who modifies a

sampler or analyzer previously

designated as part of a reference or

equivalent method is not permitted to

sell the sampler or analyzer (as

modified) as part of a reference or

equivalent method (although he may

choose to sell it without such

representation), nor to attach a label or

sticker to the sampler or 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.

(8) An applicant who offers samplers

or analyzers for sale as part of a

reference or equivalent method is

required to maintain the manufacturing

facility in which the sampler or analyzer

is manufactured as an ISO 9001-

registered facility.

(9) An applicant who offers samplers

or analyzers for sale as part of a

reference or equivalent method is

required to submit annually a properly

completed Product Manufacturing

Checklist, as specified in part 53.

Aside from occasional breakdowns or

malfunctions, consistent or repeated

noncompliance with any of these

conditions should be reported to:

Director, National Exposure Research

Laboratory, Human Exposure and

Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD–

77), U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, Research Triangle Park, North

Carolina 27711.

Designation of these reference

methods is intended to assist the States

in establishing and operating their air

quality surveillance systems under part

58. Questions concerning the

commercial availability or technical

aspects of any of these methods should

be directed to the appropriate applicant.

Dated: April 10, 1998.

Henry L. Longest II,

Acting Assistant Administrator for Research

and Development.

[FR Doc. 98–10144 Filed 4–15–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560–50–U

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

[PF–802; FRL–5782–8]

Notice of Filing of Pesticide Petitions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the

initial filing of pesticide petitions

proposing the establishment of

regulations for residues of certain

pesticide chemicals in or on various

food commodities.

DATES: Comments, identified by the

docket control number PF–802, must be

received on or before May 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: By mail submit written

comments to: Public Information and

Records Integrity Branch (7502C),

Information Resources and Services

Division, Office of Pesticides Programs,

Environmental Protection Agency, 401

M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In

person bring comments to: Rm. 119, CM

#2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway,

Arlington, VA.

Comments and data may also be

submitted electronically to: oppdocket@epamail.epa.gov. Follow the

instructions under ‘‘SUPPLEMENTARY

INFORMATION.’’ No confidential

business information should be

submitted through e-mail.

Information submitted as a comment

concerning this document may be

claimed confidential by marking any

part or all of that information as

‘‘Confidential Business Information’’

(CBI). CBI should not be submitted

through e-mail. Information marked as

CBI will not be disclosed except in

accordance with procedures set forth in

40 CFR part 2. A copy of the comment

that does not contain CBI must be

submitted for inclusion in the public

record. Information not marked

confidential may be disclosed publicly

by EPA without prior notice. All written

comments will be available for public

inspection in Rm. 119 at the address

given above, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, excluding legal

holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By

mail: Product Manager (PM-10), Marion

Johnson, Registration Division (7505C),

Office of Pesticide Programs,

Environmental Protection Agency, 401

M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.

Office location and telephone number:

Rm. 208, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis

Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202, 703–305–

6788, e-mail:

johnson.marion@epamail.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has

received a pesticide petition as follows

proposing the establishment and/or

amendment of regulations for residues

of certain pesticide chemicals in or on

various food commodities under section

408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and

Comestic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a.

EPA has determined that the petition

contains data or information regarding

the elements set forth in section

408(d)(2); however, EPA has not fully

evaluated the sufficiency of the

submitted data at this time or whether

the data supports granting of the

petition. Additional data may be needed

before EPA rules on the petition.

The official record for this notice of

filing, as well as the public version, has

been established for this notice of filing

under docket control number [PF–802]

(including comments and data

submitted electronically as described

below). A public version of this record,

including printed, paper versions of

electronic comments, which does not

include any information claimed as CBI,

is available for inspection from 8:30

a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,

excluding legal holidays. The official

record is located at the address in

‘‘ADDRESSES’’ at the beginning of this

document.

Electronic comments can be sent

directly to EPA at:

opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov

Electronic comments must be

submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the

use of special characters and any form

of encryption. Comment and data will

also be accepted on disks in

Wordperfect 5.1/6.1 or ASCII file

format. All comments and data in

electronic form must be identified by

the docket control number [PF–802] and

appropriate petition number. Electronic

comments on this notice may be filed

online at many Federal Depository

Libraries.

List of Subjects

Environmental protection,

Agricultural commodities, Food

additives, Feed additives, Pesticides and

pests, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.