80 FR 72432 - Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Reference Method and One New Equivalent Method

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 223 (November 19, 2015)

Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, one new reference method for measuring concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of ozone (O<INF>3</INF>) in the ambient air.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 223 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72432-72433]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29492]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9937-20-ORD]


Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring 
Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Reference 
Method and One New Equivalent Method

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of the designation of one new reference method and one 
new equivalent method for monitoring ambient air quality.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR part 53, one new 
reference method for measuring concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) 
and one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of ozone 
(O3) 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: [email protected].

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 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. 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 carbon monoxide (CO) in the 
ambient air and one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations 
of ozone (O3) in the ambient air. These designations are 
made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as amended on August 31, 
2011(76 FR 54326-54341).
    The new reference method for CO is an automated method (analyzer) 
utilizing a measurement principle based

[[Page 72433]]

on infrared absorption spectroscopy and is identified as follows:

    RFCA-0915-228, ``Environnement S.A. Model CO12e Carbon Monoxide 
Analyzer'', an infrared absorption spectroscopy technique operated 
on a full scale range of 0-50 ppm, at any temperature in the range 
of 10 [deg]C to 35 [deg]C, with a teflon sample particulate filter 
with the following software settings: Automatic response time ON; 
Automatic ``ZERO-REF'' cycle either ON or OFF and with or without 
the following options: ESTEL Analog Input/Output Board, LCD color 
touch screen and Carbon Dioxide CO2 sensor.

    This application for a reference method determination for this CO 
method was received by the Office of Research and Development on July 
20, 2015. This analyzer is commercially available from the applicant, 
Environnement S.A., 111, Boulevard Robespierre, 78300 Poissy France.
    The new equivalent method for O3 is an automated method 
that utilizes a measurement principle based on non-dispersive 
ultraviolet absorption photometry. The newly designated equivalent 
method for O3 is identified as follows:

    EQOA-1015-229, ``Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, 
Model 430 Ozone Analyzer'', operated with a full scale range between 
0-500 ppb, at any operating temperature from 5 [deg]C to 40 [deg]C, 
with a sample particulate filter, with a 100-240V AC to DC power 
adapter or a 12V DC source capable of providing 9 watts of power, in 
accordance with the associated instrument manual, and with or 
without any of the following options: Internal long-life pump, 
external long-life pump, external portable battery pack, external 
communication and data monitoring interfaces.

    The application for an equivalent method determination for this 
candidate method was received by the Office of Research and Development 
on August 27, 2015. The analyzer is commercially available from the 
applicant, Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Inc., 9480 
Carroll Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92121-2251.
    Representative test analyzers 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 by the applicant, EPA has determined, in 
accordance with part 53, that these methods should be designated as a 
reference or equivalent method.
    As a designated reference or equivalent method, 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, each 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, 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 reference and 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 method should be 
directed to the applicant.

    Dated: November 6, 2015.
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2015-29492 Filed 11-18-15; 8:45 am]
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