March 05, 2021
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a March 4th Federal Register Notice designating:
- New reference method for measuring concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- New equivalent method for measuring concentrations of particulate matter (PM10)
Various methods and techniques are used to determine the quantity of a given pollutant in the ambient air and/or the amount of emissions generated by a source. Many gases and vapors cannot be detected by odor or sight. Therefore, determining quantity of a given pollutant in the ambient air is often accomplished by:
- Sampling the air;
- Chemical analysis of the sampled air; and
- Quality assurance to ensure the precision and accuracy of measurement.
Sampling air conditions is an important part of the process for determining whether an area is and/or will remain in compliance with the relevant Clean Air Act NAAQS.
EPA evaluates various methods for monitoring the concentrations of those ambient air pollutants for which the agency has established NAAQS. The agency’s evaluation procedures are found in 40 C.F.R. Part 53.
EPA designates monitoring methods as either reference or equivalent methods (as applicable). Such designations permit their use by states and other agencies for determining compliance with the NAAQS. A list of all approved reference or equivalent methods is maintained by EPA.
The Federal Register preamble describes in detail both the designation and description of the referenced method for measuring concentrations of SO2 and the equivalent method for measuring concentrations of particulate matter PM10.
A copy of the Federal Register Notice can be downloaded here.
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