82 FR 44612 - Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: Designation of Three New Reference Methods

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 184 (September 25, 2017)

Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated three new reference methods for measuring concentrations of PM<INF>2.5</INF>, PM<INF>10</INF>, and PM<INF>10-2.5</INF> in the ambient air.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44612-44613]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20447]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9966-90-ORD]


Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods: 
Designation of Three New Reference Methods

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has designated three new reference methods for measuring 
concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and 
PM10-2.5 in the 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: [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 methods 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.
    The EPA hereby announces the designation of three new reference 
methods for measuring concentrations of PM2.5, 
PM10, and PM10-2.5 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 PM2.5 is a manual 
monitoring method based on a specific PM2.5 sampler and is 
identified as follows:
    RFPS-0717-245, ``Met One Instruments, Inc. E-SEQ-FRM,'' sequential 
sampler configured for multi-event filter sampling of ambient

[[Page 44613]]

particulate matter using the U.S. EPA PM10 inlet specified 
in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix L, Figs. L-2 thru L-19, equipped with 
either a Mesa Laboratories VSCCTM cyclone or WINS 
PM2.5 fractionator, with a flow rate of 16.67 L/min, using 
47 mm PTFE membrane filter media, and operating with firmware version 
R1.1.0 and later, and operated in accordance with the Met One E-SEQ-FRM 
PM2.5 operating manual. This designation applies to 
PM2.5 measurements only.
    The new reference method for PM10 is a manual monitoring 
method based on a specific PM10 sampler and is identified as 
follows:
    RFPS-0717-246, ``Met One Instruments, Inc. E-SEQ-FRM,'' sequential 
sampler configured for multi-event filter sampling of ambient 
particulate matter using the U.S. EPA PM10 inlet specified 
in 40 CFR part 50, Appendix L, Figs. L-2 thru L-19, equipped with 
either a Mesa Laboratories VSCCTM cyclone or WINS 
PM2.5 fractionator, with a flow rate of 16.67 L/min, using 
47 mm PTFE membrane filter media, and operating with firmware version 
R1.1.0 and later, and operated in accordance with the Met One E-SEQ-FRM 
PM10 operating manual. This designation applies to 
PM10 measurements only.
    The new PM10-2.5 reference method utilizes a pair of 
filter samplers that have been designated individually as reference 
methods, one for PM2.5 and the other one for 
PM10, and have been shown to meet the requirements specified 
in appendix O of 40 CFR part 50. The PM2.5 and 
PM10 samplers are designated as reference methods RFPS-0717-
245 and RFPS-0717-246, respectively. The newly designated 
PM10-2.5 sampler is identified as follows:
    RFPS-0717-247, ``Met One Instruments, Inc. E-SEQ-FRM 
PM10 and E-SEQ-FRM PM2.5 Sampler Pair'' for the 
determination of coarse particulate matter as PM10-2.5, 
consisting of a pair of Met One Instruments, Inc. E-SEQ-FRM samplers, 
with one being the E-SEQ-FRM PM2.5 sampler (RFPS-0717-245) 
and the other being the E-SEQ-FRM PM10 sampler (RFPS-0717-
246). The units are to be collocated to within 1-4 meters of one 
another and sample concurrently. Both units are operated in accordance 
with the associated E-SEQ-FRM instruction manual. This designation 
applies to PM10-2.5 measurements only.
    The application for reference method determination for the 
PM2.5 method was received by the Office of Research and 
Development on May 17, 2017, the PM10 method application was 
received on June 5, 2017, and the PM10-2.5 method was 
received on July 25, 2017. These monitors are commercially available 
from the applicant, Met One Instruments, Inc., 1600 Washington Blvd., 
Grants Pass, OR 97526.
    Test monitors representative of these methods 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 in the applications, EPA has 
determined, in accordance with part 53, that these methods should be 
designated as reference methods. The information in the applications 
will be kept on file, either at EPA's National Exposure Research 
Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 or in an 
approved archive storage facility, and will be available for inspection 
(with advance notice) to the extent consistent with 40 CFR part 2 
(EPA's regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act).
    As designated reference methods, 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, 
the methods must be used in strict accordance with the operation or 
instruction manuals associated with the methods and subject to any 
specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or operational 
settings) specified in the applicable designated descriptions (see the 
identification of the methods above).
    Use of the methods 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-08-003, December, 2008. 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 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 these new reference 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 methods should be directed to 
the applicant.

    Dated: August 16, 2017.
Timothy H. Watkins,
Deputy Director, National Exposure Research Laboratory.
[FR Doc. 2017-20447 Filed 9-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P