At approximately 2130 hours on 7 May 2006, the miticide Propargite (a.k.a. Omite) was released to the land and air from a 7,000 gallon capacity intermodal container. The intermodal container was situated on the Quality Carriers, Inc. facility (aka Quala Systems) in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is located at 4953 Virginia Avenue, across the street from the Shell Oil Lubricants terminal, on the Cooper River.
While the specific cause of the incident is unknown, the release occured due to an over pressurization of the intermodal tank which breached the top hatch and compromised the integrity of the tank. The material (Propargite and degredation products) sprayed onto the Quality Systems, Inc. facility, Virginia Avenue and down wind properties, including the Shell Lubricants terminal. At the time of the release, a ship was undergoing a product transfer at the Shell terminal. Workers there reported a pungent odor and complained of symptoms of exposure including nausea and fainting. Transfer operations aboard were ceased, and the Shell facility evacuated all personnel. The Coast Guard closed maritime transport on that section of the Cooper River.
USGC and the North Charleston Fire Department were the initial responders. The fire department evacuated nearby businesses as a pre-cautionary measure. Virginia Avenue was closed to traffic in both directions. SCDHEC emergency response personnel also responded to the scene. Two National Response Center reports were filed (NRC 796418 / 796423). OSC Kevin Misenheimer and START were dispatched to provide assistance to the local responders and to oversee the Potentially Responsible Party's (PRP)actions. OSC Misenheimer arrived at the site at approximately 0730 hours on 8 May 2006. START arrived at approximately 0930 hours.
The intermodal container continues to emit vapor and to date it remains too hot for responders to access the material inside.
The PRP has mobilized two contractors to the site (Moran Environmental and S&ME, Inc.). Moran is excavating contaminated soils on the Quality Carriers site as well as preparing to decon vehicles and other equipment contaminated on the site. Moran also applied adsorbent material to the surface of Virginia Avenue and mechanically swept the road to remove contamination. S&ME and Moran are visually delineating contamination on the neighboring Shell Oil facility, which was impacted by the release. Two samples of potentially contaminated storm water were collected from the Shell Oil site and will be tested for acute ecological toxicity prior to discharge to the Cooper River.
START and DHEC conducted a site reconnaissance on the Quality Carriers site to visually assess and document the extent of contamination and to evaluate drainage pathways. START also conducted air monitoring for sulfur dioxide (a break down product of Propargite). No detections of sulfur dioxide were observed. EPA, DHEC and the US Coast Guard Sector Charleston continue to coordinate the response and to monitor PRP activities. OSC Dave Andrews was also dispatched to the site and arrived on 9 May 2006.
The PRP's contractor will continue to excavate soils and decontaminate affected property, vehicles and equipment.
START will continue to oversee the clean up process, conduct air monitoring, and to document site activities.
EPA OSC Kevin Misenheimer will continue to oversee the PRP's response activities and to coordinate activities with State and local response agencies.
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