82 FR 21995 - Office of Research and Development; Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of One New Equivalent Method

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 90 (May 11, 2017)

Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with applicable Federal regulations, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO<INF>2</INF>) in ambient air.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 90 (Thursday, May 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21995-21996]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09534]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9960-60-ORD]


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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of the designation of a 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 applicable Federal 
regulations, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of 
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 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. 
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

[[Page 21996]]

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 equivalent 
method for measuring concentrations of NO2 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 equivalent method for NO2 is an automated method 
(analyzer) and is identified as follows:

    EQNA-0217-243, ``2B Technologies, Model 405 nm NO2/
NO/NOX Monitor,'' operated in a range of 0-500 ppb, 
operated at temperatures between 20 [deg]C and 30 [deg]C, with 
temperature and pressure compensation, with internal DewLine for 
humidity control, with averaging times from 5 seconds to 1 hour, 
with a 110-220V AC power adapter or a 12V DC source, operated in 
accordance with the instrument manual, and with or without the 
following: Auto zeroing, external PTFE inlet filter and holder, 
cigarette lighter adapter or a 12V DC battery for portable 
operation, serial data communication, 0-2.5V or scalable analog 
output, external communication and monitoring interfaces, internal 
data logger, removable memory device for data recording and backup.

    An application for the equivalent method determination for this 
candidate method was received by the EPA on January 23, 2017. This 
analyzer is commercially available from the applicant, 2B Technologies, 
2100 Central Ave., Suite 105, Boulder, CO 80301.
    Representative test analyzers have been 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 applicants in the respective 
applications, EPA has determined, in accordance with Part 53, that this 
method should be designated as a reference method or equivalent method, 
as appropriate.
    As a designated equivalent 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, 
the 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 new equivalent 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: March 6, 2017.
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta,
Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2017-09534 Filed 5-10-17; 8:45 am]
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