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EPA/AR RIN: 2060-AP77 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: Revision to Pb Ambient Air Monitoring Requirements 
Abstract: On 12/14/2010, EPA revised the ambient monitoring requirements for measuring lead (Pb) in the air. These amendments expand the nation's lead monitoring network to better assess compliance with the revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead issued in 2008. EPA is changing the emission threshold that state monitoring agencies must use to determine if an air quality monitor should be placed near an industrial facility that emits lead. The new emission threshold is 0.5 tons per year (tpy), reduced from the previous threshold of 1.0 tpy. Any new monitors located near an emissions source must be operational no later than one year after this rule is published in the Federal Register. EPA is maintaining a 1.0 tpy lead emission threshold for airports. However, EPA is requiring a 1-year monitoring study of 15 additional airports (beyond those currently required to monitor at the existing 1.0 tpy emission threshold). The study will help EPA determine whether airports that emit less than 1.0 tpy have the potential to cause the surrounding areas to exceed the lead NAAQS of 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m3). The monitors participating in the study must be operational no later than one year after this rule is published in the Federal Register. EPA is also requiring lead monitoring in large urban areas (Core Based Statistical Areas, or CBSAs, with a population of 500,000 people or more). Monitors will be located along with multi-pollutant ambient monitoring sites (known as the "NCore network"). Lead monitoring at these sites will begin January 1, 2012. The NCore network will consist of approximately 80 monitoring sites, of which 63 will be in large urban areas. The requirement to add these monitors replaces an existing requirement to place lead monitors in each CBSA with a population of 500,000 or more people. EPA estimates that a net increase of up to 76 lead monitors will be required to satisfy the revised monitoring requirements: Increase of 114 source-oriented monitors; o Increase of 63 monitors at urban NCore network sites; Decrease of 101 non-source-oriented monitors previously required in CBSA's with a population of 500,000 or more 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 58   
Legal Authority: 42 USC 7403    42 USC 7410    42 USC 7601(a)    42 USC 7611    42 USC 7619   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  12/30/2009  74 FR 69050   
NPRM Comment Period End  02/16/2010    
Final Action  12/27/2010  75 FR 81126   
Additional Information: EPA publication information: NPRM - http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480a74184; EPA Docket information: EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0735
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: http://www.epa.gov/air/lead  
Sectors Affected: 9241 Administration of Environmental Quality Programs 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Kevin Cavender
Environmental Protection Agency
Air and Radiation
C304-06,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-2364
Fax:919 541-1903
Email: cavender.kevin@epamail.epa.gov

Lewis Weinstock
Environmental Protection Agency
Air and Radiation
C304-06,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone:919 541-3661
Fax:919 541-1903
Email: weinstock.lewis@epamail.epa.gov