Notice2025-17079
Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods; Designation of Three New Equivalent Methods and One New Reference Method
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Published
September 5, 2025
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated one new equivalent method for measuring SO<INF>2</INF>, one new reference method for measuring NO<INF>2</INF>, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of PM<INF>2.5</INF>, and one new equivalent method for measuring PM<INF>10-2.5</INF> in ambient air.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 170 (Friday, September 5, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 170 (Friday, September 5, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42965-42967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17079]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-12714-01-ORD]
Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods;
Designation of Three New Equivalent Methods and One New Reference
Method
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of the designation of three new equivalent methods and
one 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 equivalent method for measuring
SO<INF>2</INF>, one new reference method for measuring NO<INF>2</INF>,
one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of
PM<INF>2.5</INF>, and one new equivalent method for measuring
PM<INF>10-2.5</INF> in ambient air.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cortina Johnson, Air Quality
Assessment Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S.
EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. Phone: 919-541-1143.
Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f09a9f989e839f9ede939f8284999e91b0958091de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d1bbbeb9bfa2bebfffb2bea3a5b8bfb091b4a1b0ffb6bea7">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 (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 <a href="http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/criteria.html">http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/criteria.html</a>.
The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new equivalent
method for measuring concentrations of SO<INF>2</INF> in ambient air.
This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as
amended on March 6, 2024(89 FR 16202-16406).
[[Page 42966]]
This new equivalent method for SO<INF>2</INF> is an automated
method (monitor) utilizing the measurement principle based on UV
fluorescence. This newly designated equivalent method is identified as
follows:
EQSA-0225-267, ``Vasthi Instruments Model Vair-9001 SO<INF>2</INF>
Analyzer,'' UV fluorescence analyzer operated in a range of 0-0.5 ppm,
with 0.5 [micro]m, 47 mm diameter Teflon[supreg] filter installed,
operated at temperatures between 20 [deg]C and 30 [deg]C, with
temperature and pressure compensation, at a nominal sampling flow rate
of 800 cc/min, using a 5 minute averaging time, with either 105VAC-
125VAC or 200VAC-240VAC input power options, 280-watt power
consumption, equipped with 7 inch LCD touch screen display, and
operated according to the Vasthi Instruments Model Vair-9001 Sulphur
Dioxide Gas Analyzer User's Instruction Manual.
This application for an equivalent method determination for this
SO<INF>2</INF> method was received by the Office of Research and
Development on September 30, 2024. This monitor is commercially
available from the applicant, Vasthi Instruments Pvt. Ltd, Phase IV,
Auto Nagar, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new reference
method for measuring concentrations of NO<INF>2</INF> in ambient air.
This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as
amended on March 6, 2024(89 FR 16202-16406).
This new reference method for NO<INF>2</INF> is an automated method
(monitor) utilizing the measurement principle based on
chemiluminescence. This newly designated reference method is identified
as follows:
RFNA-0325-268, ``Vasthi Instruments Model Vair-9002 NO<INF>2</INF>
Analyzer,'' Chemiluminescent analyzer operated in a range of 0-0.5 ppm,
with 0.5 [micro]m, 47 mm diameter Teflon[supreg] filter installed,
operated at temperatures between 20 [deg]C and 30 [deg]C, with
temperature and pressure compensation, at a nominal sampling flow rate
of 700 cc/min, using a 5 minute averaging time, with 220VAC-230VAC
input power, 360-watt power consumption, equipped with 7 inch LCD touch
screen display, and operated according to the Vasthi Instruments Model
Vair-9002 Nitrogen Oxide Gas Analyzer User's Instruction Manual.
This application for a reference method determination for this
NO<INF>2</INF> method was received by the Office of Research and
Development on October 4th, 2024. This monitor is commercially
available from the applicant, Vasthi Instruments Pvt. Ltd, Phase IV,
Auto Nagar, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new equivalent
method for measuring concentrations of PM<INF>2.5</INF> in ambient air.
This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as
amended on March 6, 2024 (89 FR 16202-16406).
This new equivalent method for PM<INF>2.5</INF> is an automated
method (monitor) utilizing the measurement principle based on beta
attenuation analysis. This newly designated equivalent method is
identified as follows:
EQPM-0325-269, ``Focused Photonics Inc. BPM-200 PM<INF>2.5</INF>
Monitor'' operated in the following concentration ranges: 0-1 mg/m3, 0-
2 mg/m3, 0-5 mg/m3, or 0-10 mg/m3, analyzing ambient conditions
temperatures between -30 [deg]C to 50 [deg]C while the monitor can
operate in a conditioned space between 0 [deg]C to 50 [deg]C. The unit
is operated for 24-hour average measurements, with the FPI P/N
1010500687 EPA PM<INF>10</INF> inlet, with a BGI Very Sharp Cut Cyclone
(VSCC<SUP>TM</SUP>) particle size separator or Tisch TE-
PM<INF>2.5</INF>C cyclone, glass fiber filter tape with axial inner
diameter of 41mm (1360700223), the 220VAC 50Hz power supply, the FPI P/
N 1010500688 Atmospheric Temperature Unit, the 1010500920 Air heating
unit for maintaining moisture at about 35% and no [Delta]T control, the
FPI P/N 1360600229 filter, the FPI P/N 1010500303 internal calibration
device, 1041000215 Main Board, 1010503229 Interface board display.
Instrument must be operated in accordance with the appropriate
instrument manual and with software (firmware) version
AQMSPlus.P005.V01A.US001. This designation applies to PM<INF>2.5</INF>
measurements only.
This application for an equivalent method determination for this
PM<INF>2.5</INF> method was received by the Office of Research and
Development on October 3, 2023. This monitor is commercially available
from the applicant, Focused Photonics Inc. (FPI) 760 Bin'an Rd.,
Binjiang District Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
The EPA hereby announces the designation of one new equivalent
method for measuring concentrations of PM<INF>10-2.5</INF> in ambient
air. This designation is made under the provisions of 40 CFR part 53,
as amended on March 6, 2024(89 FR 16202-16406).
This new equivalent method for PM<INF>10-2.5</INF> is an automated
method (monitor) utilizing the measurement principle based on beta
attenuation analysis. This newly designated equivalent method is
identified as follows:
EQPM-0325-270, ``Focused Photonics Inc. BPM-200 Monitor'' for the
determination of coarse particulate matter as PM<INF>10-2.5</INF>,
consisting of a pair of Focused Photonics Inc. BPM-200 monitors with
one being a BPM-200 PM<INF>2.5</INF> monitor under designation EQPM-
0325-269 and the other being a BPM-200 p.m.<INF>10</INF> monitor under
designation EQPM-0121-258 and operated in accordance with the
associated BPM-200 instruction manuals. This designation applies to
PM<INF>10-2.5</INF> measurements only.
This application for an equivalent method determination for this
PM<INF>2.5</INF> method was received by the Office of Research and
Development on March 18, 2025. This monitor is commercially available
from the applicant, Focused Photonics Inc. (FPI) 760 Bin'an Rd.,
Binjiang District Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Representative test monitors were tested in accordance with the
applicable test procedures specified in 40 CFR part 53, as amended on
March 6, 2024. After reviewing the results of those tests and other
information submitted by the applicant, EPA has determined, in
accordance with 40 CFR part 53, that these methods should be designated
as equivalent and reference methods.
As designated equivalent and 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, these methods must be used in strict accordance with
the operation or instruction manual associated with these methods and
subject to any specifications and limitations (e.g., configuration or
operational settings) specified in the designated method descriptions
(see the identification of the methods above).
Use of these methods should also 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 <a href="http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qalist.html">http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/qalist.html</a>). 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, Air Methods and
[[Page 42967]]
Characterization Division (MD-D205-03), Center for Environmental
Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
Designation of these methods are 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 these methods should be directed to the applicant.
Gayle Hagler,
Acting Director, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling.
[FR Doc. 2025-17079 Filed 9-4-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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