FACT SHEET REVISION TO METHOD 23 FOR THE DETERMINATION OF POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZO- P-DIOXINS AND POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZOFURANS FROM STATIONARY SOURCES ACTION • On December 17, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to revise EPA Method 23. Method 23 is used to measure polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) from stationary air sources. • EPA promulgated Method 23 on February 13,1991 (56 FR 5758). It has not been updated or revised since its original promulgation. Most current stationary source sampling and analysis methods have been revised to a new consistent format. This proposed action would revise the format of the method to be consistent with other methods. • These proposed revisions harmonize the laboratory procedures and requirements with EPA Office of Water methods. This proposed revision would replace prescriptive requirements for materials and instrument parameters with performance-based quality requirements that provide flexibility to implement best analytical practices. • EPA is proposing to include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the method. This would provide EPA with a semivolatile compliance method for these regulated target compounds in one comprehensive method. • The proposed revisions will improve the accuracy of Method 23 and will provide flexibility to stack testers and analytical laboratories who measure semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC) from stationary sources while ensuring that the stack testing community can consistently implement the method across emissions sources and facilities. • This action would give facilities, source test teams and their analytical laboratories options to reduce field sampling cost when multiple semivolatile toxic compounds are required to demonstrate air release compliance. • EPA will accept comment on this proposed rule for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. BACKGROUND • EPA established requirements for measuring PCDD/PCDF in stationary sources in 1991. Over the past nearly 30 years, technical advances for measuring PCDD/PCDF have occurred. • Most EPA stationary source compliance methods were reformatted in the 1990's. Method 23 is overdue for a format revision to the current Emissions Monitoring and Management Council standard. ------- HOW TO COMMENT • Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0677, by one of the following methods: o http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. o E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0677 in the subject line of the message, o Fax: (202) 566-9744. Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0677. o Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center, Docket ID No. EPA- HQ-OAR-2016-0677, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460. Please include two copies, o Hand Delivery: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West (Air Docket), 1301 Constitution Avenue, Northwest, Room 3334, Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. FOR MORE INFORMATON • Interested parties can download the rule from EPA's web site on the Internet under Proposed Test Methods at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/emc. • Other places to read the proposed rule and background information (use Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0677): • EPA's electronic public docket and comment system at http://www. regulations, gov. • The EPA Docket Center's Public Reading Room (for hard copies). o The Public Reading Room is located at EPA Headquarters, Room Number 3334 in EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, o DC. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern standard time, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays, o You will have to show photo identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign the EPA visitor log. Any materials you bring with you will be processed through an X-ray machine as well. You will be provided a badge that must always be visible. • For further information about the rulemaking, contact Raymond Merrill at EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards at (919) 541-5225 or merrill.raymond@epa.gov. ------- |