Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. print Print. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. "[The problem area] now takes up about a third of the bottom of the tub, because every time the water runs, more comes off," she says. I didnt think too much about it. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. I already have cancer, my throat was raw and I had a headache. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. The home I purchased a few years ago came with cast iron bathtub and ceramic tile walls that had been covered with a 2-step epoxy finish. I usually like to do things myself, but I think I will have to find someone to do my bathtub repair in concord ma. Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. THANK YOU! I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. While bathtub refinishing is one I havent tried, I do know that in-home work with many types of cleaners, paints and strippers and adhesives is always going to be a concern due to poor air circulation indoors, and sometimes outdoors too. I have been in hat business for 20 years. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. Thanks! Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. Capital region housing in edmonton is the worst. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. We need to care when the baths are refinished. An apartment maintenance man entered the apartment to look for the man and found him behind the closed bathroom door, unresponsive, and slumped over the tub. There is apparently limited research on this issue, but there are case studies of some children getting lead poisoning from bathing in an old bathtub that was leaching lead. Thanks for your comment. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. But two days later it still bothers me. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? Jimmy White of Staten Island-based Custom Spraying and Reglazing, who has been doing it for more than 30 years and is considered the reglazer to the starsheworked on Faye Dunaway's and Candace Bergens bathroomssays it can be done in a few hours, plus 24 hours of dry time. She enjoyed improving discarded furniture, then selling it it was like art to her. With just a day or two of work, reglazing the centerpiece of your bathroom with a durable coating and color is an easy way to give your tub a quick facelift without breaking the bank. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. However, you need to keep these essential health and safety considerations in mind whether you hire a contractor to refinish your tub or do it yourself. The concentration of the exposure is important too. I never post anything anywhere. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. I have 2 small kids and an infant. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. Why can strippers with this ingredient be sold to consumers in U.S. hardware stores that do _not_ sell the full-face air supplied respirators that should be worn while using it? The Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) program at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has profiled two businesses that successfully strip bathtubs without MC. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. I understand the dangers of the application process, but what about the 2/3 days following the reglazing? I am thankful that I found this article before I made a final decision on whether or not to purchase a DIY kit for my tub interior. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! Thank you for your comment. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. When the door is closed for a while it gets very strong and when its open one can hardly smell it but that does not mean it is not there. Unless you have access to all the necessary protective clothing and equipment and are confident in your bathrooms ventilation system as well as your DIY capabilities, you should hire a professional to handle it. Stay safe! I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. The first one was a very long process because there was no air circulation what so ever si the two part paint kit kept separating from one another which kept me in the room with only my Tshirt pulled over my nose. Even a tiny bit? Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. Provided your surface was prepped correctly, you can expect your reglazed tub and/or tile to be good for about seven to 10 years, and the more you take care of it, the longer it will last. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. Because this process, which involves spraying a new topcoat on your existing tub and/or tile, is significantly cheaper, easier, cleaner, and less time-consuming than actually replacing a tub. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. Most professionals use alternative methods when possible. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. Pacific Reglazing provides high quality, affordable kitchen and bathroom repair and refinishing services throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, the San Fernando Valley, Ventura, Orange County and Riverside County. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers. The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. Sometimes, it's less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if it's a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. You should always wear protective clothing and use the appropriate safety-rated equipment whenever you are doing any household repair or remodeling work, and reglazing a bathtub is no exception. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. The fumes were in her room not mine, i didnt know until i opened the door, we had put on the fan origionally for the smell, fumes came full blown after. Not worth it. AND DURING CLEANING. But it's not just about looks. Is it safe to stay???? God bless you! They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! The tub needs to go. Finding a Miracle Method office. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I think they want things swept under the carpet. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? Extraction during the process is everything. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. Hello. I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. Sometimes, you may need to refinish your bathtub which requires chemical coating with special kind of brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub. Whenever respirators are required to be worn, the employer must establish and implement a complete respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of OSHAs Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), including proper selection, usage, training and medical surveillance (OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, February 2013, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2013-110 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-110/ ). Bathtub Refinishing Fumes - How To Protect Yourself - EzineArticles It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. However, the human body can quickly become desensitized to the smell and a worker may be overexposed even if he or she can no longer smell it. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. PDF Acute Lung Disease from Bathtub Refinishing - University of California Of course I wont be using it for a good week or so just to be safe, but I dont even use bleach or Flash to clean my tub because of the chemicals getting into the bathwater; even rinsing thoroughly. Hi, this is all so helpful. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. This post was helpful to me too. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. We have had a terrible experience. Publication number 81-8c-2013. Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! What is this stuff? My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. In order to assess learn more about the products that are being used for the re-glazing, assess the air quality of your apartment, prevent exposure or remediate any hazards, seek assistance from the building owner or manager. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. OSHA has regulations that sets a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 parts per million (ppm) as a time-weighted average (TWA) exposure over an 8-hour work shift. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. If you have a tub that has seen better days, but you dont want to remove and replace it completely, then you may need to have it reglazed or refinished to restore it to its original state. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! I dont know of incidents that may have occurred, buy you can never be too careful with peoples lives. How do I know if this is toxic? Surface Designers Remodeling Inc - Bathtub Refinishing in Houston, Texas We do have pets and have young kids. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Tub Cast Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit - Made In The USA - Odorless What is the LEAST TOXIC alternative for bathtub reglazing? I dont think I had the right mask on. Even if they come in a spray can unless you really know how to spray a cross hatch overlap pattern then you will have dry edges. We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. Now Im cleaning up the interior; its not in terrible condition, but it has a few chips and the surface is not as smooth as Id like. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). Pre-leasing now launched at 595 Dean St., the newest rental development in Brooklyn's vibrant Prospect Heights, The roommate dilemma: It's much more expensive to rent an apartment in NYC all by yourself now. We tried to open our window a bit. Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? That is a shocking statistic, At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. Don't Replace, Renew | Surface Renew We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? Thorough prep and and cleaning can preventbig headaches down the road. Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. Acid is then applied to deglaze the tub and/or tile, followed by a bonding agent or primer, and finally, a urethane topcoat is applied. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! This is a great article. Bathtub Refinishing | Benefits & Considerations in 2023 | REthority document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone.
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