Three new laboratory methods are proposed either because they are necessary for enforcement of amended regulations or in order to incorporate advances in analytical equipment. The proposed methods are:

• Method 44A: Determination of Reduced Sulfur Gases and Sulfur Dioxide in a Gaseous Matrix Using the Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector. Method 44A will use a highly sensitive sulfur chemiluminescence detector to measure the light emitted from a reaction of sulfur monoxide (produced from the combustion of sulfur compounds) with ozone to determine compliance with Regulation 7: Odors and Regulation 9, Rule 1: Sulfur Dioxide.
• Method 45: Determination of Butanes and Pentanes in Polymeric Materials. Method 45 will use a gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector to measure butanes and pentanes in polymeric materials to determine compliance with Regulation 8, Rule 52: Polystyrene, Polypropylene and Polyethylene Foam Product Manufacturing Operations.
• Method 46: Determination of the Composite Partial Pressure of Volatile Organic Compounds in Cleaning Solvents. Method 46 will use a gas chromatograph with photoionization-flame ionization detectors to determine weight percent of VOC components in cleaning solvents from which partial pressures will be calculated, and will be used to determine compliance with Regulation 8, Rule 20: Graphic Arts Printing and Coating Operations.

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, the District has concluded that the proposed amendments to Volume III of the Manual of Procedures are exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061, subd. (b)(3), and Section 15308. The District intends to file a Notice of Exemption for the amendments to these rules pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15062.

The proposed methods, and a draft staff report may be viewed on the District's website at www.baaqmd.gov. Copies are available on request from the District from the Technical Services Division at (415) 749-4985. For questions or comments regarding the proposed methods, please contact Jim Hesson, Laboratory Services Manager, at (415) 749-4625 or by e-mail at jhesson@baaqmd.gov; or Cleofina David, Senior Air Quality Chemist at (415) 749-4622 or by e-mail at cdavid@baaqmd.gov. Written comments on the proposed amendments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2000.