Impact/Purpose:

The Reference and Equivalency Program accepts and evaluates applications for new FRMs/FEMs and designates those that meet the criteria. In addition, the Program publishes required guidance and quality assurance (QA) documents in the Federal Register and addresses technical or application issues in which the integrity of FRM/FEM monitors is questioned.

Description:

Federal Reference Methods (FRMs) and Federal Equivalent Methods (FEMs) form the backbone of the EPA's national monitoring strategy. They are the measurement methodologies that define attainment of a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). As knowledge and technology advance, new or modified FRMs and FEMs are developed. This task operates the Reference and Equivalency Program to designate FRMs/FEMs, provides support for technical issues that arise.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT

Start Date:10/01/2001

Projected Completion Date:09/01/2007

Record ID: 56210

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Project Information:

Progress :Reference and Equivalency Program

During FY-04 designations were issued for PM-10 (1 sampler), NO2 (1 sampler), and PM2.5 (3 samplers).



Relevance :This task continues operation of the Reference and Equivalency Program under which candidate FRMs and FEMs are evaluated for designation by EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) as specified in the Federal Register. This Program includes not only devices for Particulate Matter (PM), but also those for the other criteria pollutants. In addition, this task includes developing quality assurance procedures associated with the utilization of FRMs and FEMs, investigation and resolution of technical or application issues in which the integrity of FRM or FEM measurements is questioned, and research and development of technical or operational improvements to FRM/FEM specifications or measurement technologies. These activities help to assure that data of sufficient quality is obtained by the national monitoring networks and that attainment determination uncertainties are at acceptable levels.



Clients :OAQPS-EMAD-MAQG (R. Scheffe), Regions, States, Locals, Tribes

Project IDs:

ID Code :9546

Project type :OMIS