National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Method
for Uranium
[Federal Register: August 25, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 164)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52176-52181]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25au04-8]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 141
[OW-2003-0067; FRL-7805-5 ]
RIN 2040-AE62
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Method
for Uranium
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final
action to approve the use of three additional analytical methods for
compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. These methods
use an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology
that has gained wide acceptance in the analytical community. EPA
believes that ICP-MS analytical methods could be more cost-effective,
less labor-intensive or more sensitive than some of the technologies
previously approved in the December 2000 Radionuclides rule. (65 FR 76708)
This rule does not withdraw approval of any previously approved
monitoring methods for uranium.
DATES: This rule is effective on August 25, 2004. The incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this rule is approved by
the Director of the Federal Register as of August 25, 2004.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID
No. OW-2003-0067. All documents in the docket are listed in the EDOCKET
index at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either electronically in EDOCKET or in hard
copy at the OW Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202)
[[Page 52177]]
566-1744, and the telephone number for the Docket Center is (202) 566-
2426.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General Information--Lisa Christ,
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Mail Code: 4606M,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-8354; e-mail address:
christ.lisa@epa.gov, Technical information--David Huber, Office of
Ground Water and Drinking Water, Mail Code: 4606M, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (202) 564-4878; e-mail address: huber.david@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Does This Action Apply to Me?
Entities potentially regulated by this regulation are public water
systems that are classified as community water systems (CWSs). A
community water system (CWS) means a public water system which serves
at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or
regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Categories and
entities potentially regulated by this action include the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples of potentially
Category regulated entities NAICS1
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Industry...................... Privately-owned community water 221310
systems..
State, tribal, local, and Publicly-owned community water 924110
Federal Government. systems..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 National American Industry Classification System.
This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this
action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware
could potentially be regulated by this action. Other types of entities
not listed in the table could also be regulated. To determine whether
your facility is regulated by this action, you should carefully examine
the applicability criteria in Sec. 141.66 of title 40 of the Code of
Federal Regulations. If you have questions regarding the applicability
of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the
preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
II. What Is EPA's Statutory Authority and Background for This Final Rule?
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended in 1996, requires
EPA to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations (NPDWRs)
that specify maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or treatment techniques
for drinking water contaminants (SDWA section 1412 (42 U.S.C. 300g-1)).
NPDWRs apply to public water systems pursuant to SDWA section 1401 (42
U.S.C. 300f(1)(A)). According to SDWA section 1401(1)(D), NPDWRs
include ``criteria and procedures to assure a supply of drinking water
which dependably complies with such maximum contaminant levels;
including accepted methods for quality control and testing
procedures.'' In addition, SDWA section 1445(a) authorizes the
Administrator to establish regulations for monitoring to assist in
determining whether persons are acting in compliance with the
requirements of the SDWA. EPA's promulgation of analytical methods is
authorized under these sections of the SDWA, as well as the general
rulemaking authority in SDWA section 1450(a), (42 U.S.C. 300j-9(a)).
The action proposed herein would affect CWSs. CWSs are a subset of
public water systems. (40 CFR 141.2)
On December 7, 2000 (65 FR 76708), EPA published a final
radionuclides rule in the Federal Register that included monitoring
requirements and a MCL of 30 micrograms per liter (30 microg/L) for
uranium that took effect in December 2003. In the preamble to the
December 2000 rule, EPA noted that several commenters asked EPA to
consider the approval of compliance monitoring methods that use an
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology. (65
FR 76724) These commenters suggested that ICP-MS analytical methods
could be more cost-effective, less labor-intensive or more sensitive
than some of the technologies approved in the December 2000 rule. In
response to these comments, EPA stated that the Agency was reviewing
ICP-MS technology for possible proposal in a future rulemaking.
EPA proposed the approval of three methods that use ICP-MS
technology for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water
in the Federal Register on June 2, 2004 (69 FR 31068). Specifically,
EPA proposed the approval of ICP-MS methods published by EPA, ASTM
International, and the Standard Methods (SM) Committee (EPA 200.8, ASTM
D5673-03, and SM 3125). The proposed approval of the three ICP-MS
methods did not, and does not, affect approval of the 15 methods
already specified at 40 CFR 141.25(a) for compliance determinations of
uranium.
EPA has completed its review of the comments received on the June
2, 2004, proposal and is today approving the three ICP-MS methods
described above. The methods are very similar and are published by EPA,
American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM), and
the Standard Methods (SM) Committee. The methods are EPA 200.8, ASTM
D5673-03, and SM 3125.
III. What Is EPA Doing Today?
EPA is taking final action to approve the use of three additional
analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking
water. These methods use an ICP-MS technology that has gained wide
acceptance in the analytical community. Method EPA 200.8 was published
by EPA in 1994; method ASTM D5673-03 was published by ASTM
International in 2003; and SM 3125 was published by the Standard
Methods Committee in 1998. In today's action, EPA is approving the use
of these ICP-MS methods for compliance determinations of uranium in
drinking water.
This rule will be effective on August 25, 2004. Making this rule
effective immediately is in the public interest. Because use of EPA-
approved analytical methods is required, approval of these relatively
inexpensive methods is expected to garner considerable cost savings. It
is EPA's expectation that reducing the burdens on community water
systems will encourage compliance with testing requirements themselves.
Hence, today's rule expanding the limited number of available test
methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water
should provide considerable relief to community water systems and EPA
finds that it has good cause to make this rule effective immediately.
IV. Summary of ICP-MS Technology
EPA reviewed ICP-MS methods published by EPA, ASTM International,
and the Standard Methods Committee. In each of these methods, sample
material in solution is introduced by pneumatic nebulization into a
radiofrequency plasma where energy
[[Page 52178]]
transfer processes cause desolvation, atomization, and ionization. The
ions are extracted from the plasma through a differentially pumped
vacuum interface and separated on the basis of their mass-to-charge
ratio by a quadrupole mass spectrometer having a minimum resolution
capability of one atomic mass unit peak width at five percent peak
height. The ions transmitted through the quadrupole are detected by an
electron multiplier or Faraday detector and the ion information
processed by a data handling system. The sensitivity of each ICP-MS
method for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water is
acceptable and is sensitive enough to detect at less than one part per
billion (1 ug/L). The uranium MCL is 30 ug/L.
EPA reviewed each of these methods for performance and
applicability to compliance determinations of uranium in drinking
water. Three of these methods, EPA 200.8, ASTM D5673-03, and SM 3125,
have acceptable performance and are otherwise suitable for compliance
determinations of uranium in drinking water. Method EPA 200.8 was
published by EPA in 1994; method ASTM D5673-03 was published by ASTM
International in 2003; and SM 3125 was published by the Standard
Methods Committee in 1998. In today's action, EPA is approving the use
of these ICP-MS methods for compliance determinations of uranium in
drinking water. EPA is taking this action in response to stakeholder
requests.
EPA is not, in today's action, approving the use of these methods
for any other purposes. EPA notes that EPA 200.8 was approved for
compliance determinations of several regulated metals in drinking water
on December 5, 1994. (59 FR 62456) EPA also recognizes that the other
two ICP-MS methods approved through today's action for determination of
uranium may also be applicable to monitoring for other drinking water
contaminants. Although the analytical scope of ASTM D5673-03 and SM
3125 extends beyond uranium, these two methods were not published until
2003 and 1998, respectively. In a later rulemaking, EPA may consider
extending the use of ASTM D5673-03 and SM 3125 to compliance
determinations of other regulated metals.
Like fluorometric and laser phosphorimetry methods, ICP-MS measures
uranium mass only; therefore, all caveats discussed in the December
2000 Radionuclides Rule on using mass methods to determine
contributions to gross alpha also apply. (65 FR 76724)
Today's final rule does not affect approval of the 15 methods
already specified at 40 CFR 141.25(a) for compliance determinations of
uranium.
V. Response to Comment
EPA received a somewhat ambiguous letter during the public comment
period of the proposed rule (69 FR 31068) that was published in the
Federal Register on June 2, 2004. The Agency has withdrawn the direct
final rule because of this letter. The commenter did not explicitly
object to the approval of any of the three ICP-MS methods; however, he
did seek clarification regarding the relationship of certain laboratory
certification measures to these analytical methods. Specifically, the
commenter noted that ``in the ``Manual for the Certification of
Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water'' all methods for uranium are
addressed in the Radiochemistry chapter even though not all the methods
are radiochemical based, e.g., fluorometric and laser phosphorimetry.
Unfortunately, the final and proposed actions don't address if the
Radiochemistry chapter should also be applied to the ICP-MS
determination of uranium.''
While the Agency does not believe the comment is directly relevant
to the merits of the ICP-MS method itself, the Agency chooses to
address it. The cited laboratory certification document is an EPA
publication that States may use as a reference in developing programs
for the certification of laboratories to conduct compliance monitoring
under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Agency believes that it is
likely that States will apply the Radiochemistry chapter to the use of
the ICP-MS methods approved in today's final rule, though that decision
rests with the States.
The commenter also cited an alternate test procedures (ATP)
Protocol for Organic and Inorganic Analytes. This protocol (EPA 821-B-
98-002) was published by EPA in March 1999. The commenter stated that
he believes that it is ``unclear from the final and proposed actions if
any of the indicated methods are being designated as the reference
method for ATP purposes.''
The ATP protocol applies only to the comparison of alternate test
procedures for the determination of chemicals. This protocol does not
apply to comparison of alternate test procedures for the determination
of radionuclides, and EPA has not developed a protocol for radionuclides.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
Under Executive Order 12866, [58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993)]
the
Agency must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant''
and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the
Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant regulatory action'' as
one that is likely to result in a rule that may:
(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an
action taken or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants,
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients
thereof; or
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in
the Executive Order.
It has been determined that this rule is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under the terms of Executive Order 12866 and is
therefore not subject to OMB review.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
This action does not impose any new requirements; rather, it approves
three additional voluntary analytical methods for compliance
determinations of uranium in drinking water.
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time
needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and
verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and
disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to
comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements;
train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information;
search data sources; complete and review the collection of information;
and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
[[Page 52179]]
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's
regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency
to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to
notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative
Procedure Act or any other statute unless the agency certifies that the
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses,
small organizations, and small government jurisdictions.
The RFA provides default definitions for each type of small entity.
Small entities are defined as: (1) A small business as defined by the
Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations at 13 CFR 121.201;
(2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a government of a city,
county, town, school district or special district with a population of
less than 50,000; and (3) a small organization that is any ``not-for-
profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.'' However, the RFA also authorizes an agency to
use alternative definitions for each category of small entity, ``which
are appropriate to the activities of the agency'' after proposing the
alternative definition(s) in the Federal Register and taking comment. 5
U.S.C. secs. 601(3)-(5). In addition, to establish an alternative small
business definition, agencies must consult with the Small Business
Administration's (SBA's) Chief Counsel for Advocacy.
For purposes of assessing the impacts of today's rule on small
entities, EPA considered small entities to be public water systems
serving 10,000 or fewer persons. This is the cut-off level specified by
Congress in the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act for
small system flexibility provisions. In accordance with the RFA
requirements, EPA proposed using this alternative definition in the
Federal Register (63 FR 7620, February 13, 1998), requested public
comment, consulted with the Small Business Administration (SBA), and
finalized the alternative definition for all future drinking water
regulations in the Consumer Confidence Reports regulation (63 FR 44511,
August 19, 1998). As stated in that Final Rule, the alternative
definition would be applied to this regulation as well.
This final rule imposes no cost on any entities over and above
those imposed by the final Radionuclides Rule. (65 FR 76708) This
action merely allows three additional analytical methods for compliance
determinations of uranium in drinking water. The use of these methods
is voluntary because drinking water systems can continue to use the
existing approved methods.
After considering the economic impacts of today's final rule on
small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The small
entities directly regulated by this final rule are public water systems
serving 10,000 or fewer persons. We have determined that no number of
small entities will be impacted by this voluntary action because
drinking water systems can continue to use the existing approved methods.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Pub.
L. 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, EPA
generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit
analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandates'' that
may result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in
the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any
one year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a written statement
is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires EPA to identify
and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt
the least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative
that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205
do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover,
section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least
costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative if the
Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation why that
alternative was not adopted. Before EPA establishes any regulatory
requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small
governments, including tribal governments, it must have developed under
section 203 of the UMRA a small government agency plan. The plan must
provide for notifying potentially affected small governments, enabling
officials of affected small governments to have meaningful and timely
input in the development of EPA regulatory proposals with significant
Federal intergovernmental mandates, and informing, educating, and
advising small governments on compliance with the regulatory requirements.
Today's rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory
provision of Title II of the UMRA) for State, local, or tribal
governments or the private sector. The rule imposes no enforceable duty
on any State, local, or tribal governments or the private sector. It
merely provides drinking water utilities with three additional
voluntary analytical methods to use to meet existing monitoring
requirements. Thus, today's rule is not subject to the requirements of
sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.
EPA has determined that this final rule contains no regulatory
requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small
governments. The adoption and use of these methods is voluntary because
drinking water systems can continue to use the existing approved
methods. Thus, today's rule is not subject to the requirements of
section 203 of the UMRA.
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August
10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure
``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.''
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
This final rule does not have Federalism implications. It will not
have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government,
as specified in Executive Order 13132. There is no cost to State and
local governments, and the final rule does not preempt State law. This
final rule imposes no cost on any State, or local governments. This
final rule merely provides for the voluntary use of three additional
analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking
water. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this final rule.
[[Page 52180]]
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian
Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (59 FR 22951, (November 9, 2000),
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory
policies that have tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal
implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations
that have ``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on
the relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian tribes,
or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the
Federal government and Indian tribes.''
This final rule does not have tribal implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship
between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal
government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175.
There is no cost to tribal governments, and the final rule does not
preempt tribal law. This final rule imposes no additional cost on any
tribal government. This final rule merely provides for the voluntary
use of three additional analytical methods for compliance
determinations of uranium in drinking water. Thus, Executive Order
13175 does not apply to this rule.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental
Health and Safety Risks
Executive Order 13045: ``Protection of Children from Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885 April 23, 1997) applies to
any rule that: (1) Is determined to be ``economically significant'' as
defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an environmental
health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may have a
disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action meets
both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health or
safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.
EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those
regulatory actions that are based on health or safety risks, such that
the analysis required under section 5-501 of the Order has the
potential to influence the regulation. This rule is not subject to
Executive Order 13045 because it does not establish an environmental
standard intended to mitigate health or safety risks. This final rule
merely provides for the voluntary use of three additional analytical
methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use
This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001)) because it is not a
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (``NTTAA''), Pub. L. 104-113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note)
directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory
activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical
standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling
procedures, and business practices) that are developed or adopted by
voluntary consensus standards bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA to provide
Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use
available and applicable voluntary consensus standards.
This rulemaking involves technical standards. In addition to
approving EPA 200.8, EPA has decided to approve two voluntary consensus
methods (ASTM International D5673-03, and the Standard Methods (SM)
Committee 3125) for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking
water. Approval of these methods is in accordance with the goals of the
NTTAA. EPA believes that ICP-MS analytical methods could be more cost-
effective, less labor-intensive or more sensitive than some of the
technologies previously approved in the December 2000 Radionuclides
Rule. (65 FR 76708) This rule does not withdraw approval of any
previously approved monitoring methods for uranium. Copies of both
voluntary consensus methods are available for viewing at the docket
facility identified in ADDRESSES section.
J. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A Major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2). This rule will be effective August 25, 2004.
List of Subjects for 40 CFR Part 141
Environmental protection, Chemicals, Incorporation by reference,
Indians-lands, Intergovernmental relations, Radiation protection,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water supply.
Dated: August 18, 2004.
Michael O. Leavitt,
Administrator.
? For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 40, chapter 1 of the
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
PART 141--NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS
? 1. The authority citation for part 141 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300f, 300g-1, 300g-2, 300g-3, 300g-4, 300g-
5, 300g-6, 300j-4, 300j-9, and 300j-11.
? 2. Section 141.25 is amended as follows:
? a. Revising the entry for uranium in the table at paragraph (a),
? b. Revising footnote 1 in the table at paragraph (a),
? c. Revising footnote 2 in the table at paragraph (a),
? d. Revising footnote 3 in the table at paragraph (a),
? e. Revising footnote 5 in the table at paragraph (a),
? f. Revising footnote 6 in the table at paragraph (a),
? g. Revising footnote 8 in the table at paragraph (a),
? h. Revising footnote 12 in the table at paragraph (a), and
? i. Adding footnote 13 in the table at paragraph (a).
Sec. 141.25 Analytical methods for radioactivity.
(a) * * *
[[Page 52181]]
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Reference (method or page number)
Contaminant Methodology ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EPA \1\ EPA \2\ EPA \3\ EPA \4\ SM \5\ ASTM \6\ USGS \7\ DOE \8\
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Uranium \12\.................................. Radiochemical................... 908.0 ............ ............ ............ 7500-U B
Fluorometric.................... 908.1 ............ ............ ............ 7500-U C D 2907-97 R-1180-76 R- U-04
(17th Ed.) 1181-76
ICP-MS.......................... 200.8 \13\ ............ ............ ............ 3125 D 5673-03
Alpha spectrometry.............. ............ ............ 00-07 p 33 7500-UC D 3972-97 R-1182-76 U-02
(18th, 19th
or 20th Ed.)
Laser Phosphorimetry............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ D 5174-97
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The procedures shall be done in accordance with the documents listed below. The incorporation by reference of documents 1 through 10 and 13 was approved by the Director of the Federal Register
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of the documents may be obtained from the sources listed below. Information regarding obtaining these documents can be obtained
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791. Documents may be inspected at EPA's Drinking Water Docket, EPA West, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room B135, Washington, DC
(Telephone: (202) 566-2426); or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to:
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
\1\ ``Prescribed Procedures for the Measurement of Radioactivity in Drinking Water'', EPA 600/4-80-032, August 1980. Available at the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical
Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (Telephone (800) 553-6847), PB 80-224744, except Method 200.8, ``Determination of Trace Elements in Waters and Wastes
by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,'' Revision 5.4, which is published in ``Methods for the Determination of Metals in Environmental Samples--Supplement I,'' EPA 600-R-94-111,
May 1994. Available at NTIS, PB95-125472.
\2\ ``Interim Radiochemical Methodology for Drinking Water'', EPA 600/4-75-008 (revised), March 1976. Available at NTIS, ibid. PB 253258.
\3\ ``Radiochemistry Procedures Manual'', EPA 520/5-84-006, December, 1987. Available at NTIS, ibid. PB 84-215581.
\4\ ``Radiochemical Analytical Procedures for Analysis of Environmental Samples'', March 1979. Available at NTIS, ibid. EMSL LV 053917.
\5\ ``Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater'', 13th, 17th, 18th, 19th Editions, or 20th edition, 1971, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998. Available at American Public Health
Association, 1015 Fifteenth Street NW., Washington, DC 20005. Methods 302, 303, 304, 305 and 306 are only in the 13th edition. Methods 7110B, 7500-Ra B, 7500-Ra C, 7500-Ra D, 7500-U B, 7500-
Cs B, 7500-I B, 7500-I C, 7500-I D, 7500-Sr B, 7500-3H B are in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th editions. Method 7110 C is in the 18th, 19th and 20th editions. Method 7500-U C Fluorometric
Uranium is only in the 17th Edition, and 7500-U C Alpha spectrometry is only in the 18th, 19th and 20th editions. Method 7120 is only in the 19th and 20th editions. Methods 302, 303, 304,
305 and 306 are only in the 13th edition. Method 3125 is only in the 20th edition.
\6\ Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 11.01 and 11.02, 1999; ASTM International any year containing the cited version of the method may be used. Copies of these two volumes and the 2003
version of D 5673-03 may be obtained from ASTM International. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA, 19428-2959.
\7\ ``Methods for Determination of Radioactive Substances in Water and Fluvial Sediments'', Chapter A5 in Book 5 of Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the United States Geological
Survey, 1977. Available at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Information Services, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225-0425.
\8\ ``EML Procedures Manual'', 28th (1997) or 27th (1990) Editions, Volumes 1 and 2; either edition may be used. In the 27th Edition Method Ra-04 is listed as Ra-05 and Method Ga-01-R is
listed as Sect. 4.5.2.3. Available at the Environmental Measurements Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 376 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014-3621.
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\12\ If uranium (U) is determined by mass, a 0.67 pCi/[mu]g of uranium conversion factor must be used. This conversion factor is based on the 1:1 activity ratio of U-234 and U-238 that is
characteristic of naturally occurring uranium.
\13\ ``Determination of Trace Elements in Waters and Wastes by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry,'' Revision 5.4, which is published in ``Methods for the Determination of Metals in
Environmental Samples--Supplement I,'' EPA 600-R-94-111, May 1994. Available at NTIS, PB 95-125472.
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[FR Doc. 04-19333 Filed 8-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P