Air programs: Ambient air quality standards, national Fine particulate matter; reference method revisions,
[Federal Register: April 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 77)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 19740]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ap99-21]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 50
[AD-FRL-6326-6]
RIN 2060-AI48
Revisions to Reference Method for the Determination of Fine Particulate Matter as PM‹INF›2.5‹/INF› in the Atmosphere
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: A new national network of fine particulate monitors is being established over the next two years. In order to assure that monitoring data are of the highest quality and are comparable both within and between air monitoring agencies, many specific design and performance requirements were detailed in 40 CFR part 50, appendix L. Other requirements were set forth in documents such as section 2.12 of the ``Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume II, Ambient Air Specific Methods,'' EPA/600/R-94/038b.
This action proposes to revise two requirements for measurement of fine particulate in 40 CFR part 50. For transport of exposed filters from the sample location to the conditioning environment, 40 CFR part 50 will no longer specify that the protective shipping container be made of metal. For verification of sampler flow rate, 40 CFR part 50 will now specify that new calibrations shall be performed if the reading of the sampler's flow rate indicator or measurement device differs by more than +/-4 percent or more from the flow rate measured by the flow rate standard. The flow rate verification tolerance was previously set at +/-2 percent. Because the Agency views this action as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipates no adverse comments, the EPA is approving the amendment to 40 CFR part 50 as a direct final rule without prior proposal. A detailed rationale for this action is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to that direct final rule, no further activity is contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. The EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 24, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted (in duplicate, if possible) to: Air Docket (A-95-54), US Environmental Protection Agency, Attn: Docket No. A-95-54, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Hanley, Emissions, Monitoring, and Analysis Division (MD-14), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, Telephone: (919) 541-4417, e-mail: hanley.tim@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For additional information, see the direct final rule which is published in the rules section of this Federal Register.
Dated: April 9, 1999. Carol M. Browner, Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-9594Filed4-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
