1. A New Tool for Evaluating Candidate PM FEM and PM2.5 ARM Monitors
Tim Hanley,
US EPA
February 13, 2007 =

2. Background
On October 17, 2006 EPA published its amended national air quality monitoring requirements, including revised regulations for approving PM monitoring methods
The revised monitoring regulations provide new performance criteria for approval of Federal Equivalent Methods (FEMs) and Approved Regional Methods (ARMs) developed based upon a data quality objective process that can be used to meet multiple monitoring objectives, including comparison to the NAAQS.
FEMs
PM2.5 and PM filter-based (Class II) and Continuous (Class III) Methods
Applicable nationally
ARMs
PM2.5 continuous method approved for use within a State, local, or Tribal agency monitoring network used to meet multiple objectives such as NAAQS, AQI…
Purpose and Goals of PM Continuous Monitoring Program and FEM status available in presentation from National Monitoring Conference:

3. PM Continuous Method Testing Overview
All PM FEM and ARM Monitors
Performance Criteria
Sampler precision
Correlation, >0.93 or >0.95 based on sample population (CCV)
Bias
Additive bias (intercept) works with multiplicative bias to insure overall bias is in control
Multiplicative bias (slope) within +/- 10% for most methods, except Class III PM which is +/- 12%
FEM Test Information for both PM2.5 and PM10-2.5
Class II methods
Testing at two sites (one East and one West) in any season
Class III methods
Testing at multiple locations; 5 test campaigns (3 Winter and 2 Summer) at 4 locations
Required to provide at least hourly data
ARM Test Information
Uses same performance criteria as PM2.5 Class III methods; however, flexibility to demonstrate sample precision
Testing occurs at subset of sites in network within which it’s intended to be used

4. Development of Two Case Study Templates
Each case study is consistent with amended monitoring regulations
PM2.5 and PM FEM requirements in 40 CFR Part 53
PM2.5 ARM requirements in 40 CFR Part 58, Appendix C
Each case study is designed to provide:
user friendly template in standard word processing software (Word) with appropriate level of detail for ARM and FEM written applications;
user friendly automated calculations in standard spreadsheet software (Excel) for all ARM and FEM performance criteria;
consistency in development of applications;
streamlined approval process by EPA for ARM and FEM applications.
Template
Type of Application
PM2.5
PM10-2.5
FEM
Class II X
Class III
ARM
N/A

5. FEM & ARM Written Template User Notes
Each case study is structured to provide the various types of information required as part of an application
No particular format or structure is mandated by regulation as long as all the required information is contained in the application and submitted
Text in bold GREEN is provided as a hypothetical example and should be replaced with similar appropriate text.
Text in BLUE provide hyperlinks to resource files (e.g., Part 53 Reg amendments.dot) with formal requirements from regulation text.
The hyperlinks function when the *.dot files are contained within the same folder as the case study.

6. FEM & ARM Written Application Summary
Contents
General Information
Description of the Candidate Method
Description of the Field FRM Comparison Test
Field Comparison Test Data and Test Calculations
Attachments
Technical Aspects of the Candidate Monitor
Manufacturing Quality System and analyzer durability
ISO – 9001 registration documentation
Test Site Locations and descriptive Information
Instrument Calibration and Calibration data and Standards
Comparability Test Data (prefer to submit electronically)
Hourly data from candidate Class III Monitors
Instrument Operation and Instruction Manual
QA procedures for the candidate ARM
Data Transformations (if applicable)
Notes
Submitted by Instrument Companies
Can be “Confidential Business Information”
Submitted by State, local, or Tribal monitoring agency
Text in RED indicates differences between the two templates
Spreadsheet template intended to address attachment in GREEN text

7. Drop down menus included in Title Sheet
FEM Spreadsheet Template in Excel
Drop down menus included in Title Sheet
Select PM2.5
or PM10-2.5
and Class II or III
Select Test Site
A, B, C, or D
Instructions
Title

8. Data Entry Sheets and Daily Calculations
Outlier test does not apply in
Candidate Sheet
Outlier test applies in FRM sheet
Data Entry Cells
are the only
unlocked cells
Daily summary of: Validity, Mean in ug/m3, Precision in ug/m3, CV in %
Raw FRM Data
Raw Candidate Data

9. Intermediate Calculations
Each column can be sorted
for daily mean, precision,
or relative precision
Holding the pointer over a cell may
result in appearance of comment box
Summary calculations for FRM
and candidate precision
Summary calculations for valid
data sets, CCV, Slope,
Intercept, and Correlation
Precision
Regression

10. Summary Sheet Criteria for number of valid data sets with test
Precision
with test
Criteria for
Slope (multiplicative bias),
Intercept (additive bias),
and Correlation with test
Illustration of Bias
acceptance limits with
result for candidate
method

11. Notes
Templates are intended to help facilitate consistency in FEM and ARM applications; their use is not required.
Availability of FEM and ARM Case Study Templates?
Available now through the end of the month as draft at:
Comments can be sent to Tim Hanley
Fax: (919)
Expect final in March 2007; also on AMTIC web site
Acknowledgments
EPA ORD
Robert Vanderpool
Elizabeth Hunike
RTI
Frank McElroy