Document ID: EPA_FRDOC_0001-23951
Agency: epa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Reference Method
Posted Date: 2019-05-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 28, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24508-24509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11073]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9994-03-ORD]

Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods; 
Designation of One New Reference Method

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of the designation of a new reference method for 
monitoring ambient air quality.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated one new reference method for measuring 
concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) in ambient air.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Vanderpool, Exposure Methods 
and Measurement Division (MD-D205-03), National Exposure Research 
Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. 
Phone: 919-541-7877. Email: Vanderpool.Robert@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with regulations at 40 CFR 
part 53, the EPA evaluates various methods for monitoring the 
concentrations of those ambient air

[[Page 24509]]

pollutants for which EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards (NAAQS) 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 or equivalent methods (as 
applicable), thereby permitting their use under 40 CFR part 58 by 
States and other agencies for determining compliance with the NAAQS. A 
list of all reference or equivalent methods that have been previously 
designated by EPA may be found at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/criteria.html.
    The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new reference 
method for measuring concentrations of CO in ambient air. This 
designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended 
on October 26, 2015(80 FR 65291-65468).
    The new reference method for CO is an automated method (analyzer) 
utilizing the measurement principle based on non-dispersive infrared 
(NDIR) spectroscopy. This newly designated reference method is 
identified as follows:
    RFCA-0419-252, ``Focused Photonics Inc. AQMS-400 CO Analyzer'' non-
dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyzer operated in the range of 0-50 ppm, 
with 5 [micro]m, 47 mm diameter Teflon[supreg](PTFE) filter installed, 
operated at temperatures between 20 [deg]C and 30 [deg]C, at nominal 
input line voltage of 22010% VAC and frequency of 50 Hz, at 
a nominal sampling flow rate of 80080 cc/min, and operated 
according to the FPI AQMS-400 User Manual.''
    This application for a reference method determination for this CO 
method was received by the Office of Research and Development on April 
10, 2017. This analyzer is commercially available from the applicant, 
Focused Photonics Inc. (FPI), 760 Bin`an Road, Binjiang District, 
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
    A representative test analyzer was tested in accordance with the 
applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR part 53, as amended on 
October 26, 2015. After reviewing the results of those tests and other 
information submitted by the applicant, EPA has determined, in 
accordance with part 53, that this method should be designated as a 
reference method.
    As a designated reference method, this method 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, 
this 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 designated method description (see the 
identification of the method above).
    Use of the method 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-13-003, (both available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qalist.html). 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 with any of these conditions 
should be reported to: Director, Exposure Methods and Measurement 
Division (MD-E205-01), National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 
27711.
    Designation of this reference method 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.

    Dated: May 10, 2019.
Timothy Watkins,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2019-11073 Filed 5-24-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P