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. I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. Hello.
Understanding the Fumes Associated with Bathtub Refinishing Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. We tried to open our window a bit. When I smell the tiles I can not smell anything but with my nose close to the bathtub I can smell a sweetish sour chemical smell. Your article has truly peaked my interest. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. Good to see so much effort going into bringing awareness to bathtub refinishing in Waltham. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. I found out the hard way. 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. No one deserves to go through this heartache of losing a friend, due to a situation that could have easily been avoided. 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. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. 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.
Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky So we need extra care. I think they want things swept under the carpet. Adults? What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. There are bathtub refinishing companies out there, [company name removed] are using safe processes for refinishing your bathtub, you just have to ask the tough questions.
Everything You Need to Know About Bathtub Refinishing We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. 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. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Rents an apartment with ventilation that mixes with neighbors and brings odors from adjacent apartments, Was subjected to highly toxic fumes from maintenance being performed on a neighboring apartment Suffered from effects of those fumes, and nearly succumbing to them Great information. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. Extraction during the process is everything. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. Thanks! Now what about substances that are used in bathtub refinishing as final top-coats such as Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane, or, another, as one company advertises: Porcelain Glaze-a new type of chemical finish. What is porcelain glaze? Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. Theyll also ensure adequate ventilation during the project, if necessary deploying powerful fans with duct extensions to exhaust hazardous vapors to the outdoors, says DeClerico.
Pacific Reglazing | Bathtub Reglazing Experts I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. Not worth it. Please respond quickly. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. Since methylene chloride is a volatile organic compound that will evaporate faster when sprayed, brushed, or poured, the chemical vapors can quickly build up in small spaces. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing.
Bathtub Refinishing | Benefits & Considerations in 2023 | REthority Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Its highly toxic Teri. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? Thank you so much! Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General
Bathtub Reglazing Los Angeles CA | Fiberglass Porcelain Refinishing It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. I think people always take safety for too lightly.
How to Refinish A Bathtub - DIY Bathtub Refinishing Moreover, because methylene chloride evaporates quickly (it has a high vapor pressure), vapors can collect in the bottom of a bathtub and in the workers breathing zone when working in the bathtub. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. Publication number 81-8c-2013. In September 2011, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to strip the glaze from a bathtub collapsed in the bathtub and later died. We are inconsolable. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. Patrick. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period.
Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Need professional help with your project? Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. *Note that there are reports that a fresh air system is . Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. (273) Questions & Answers (148) +3. 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. When working with stripper or using solvents,acid,etcas well as applying your refinishing product.ALWAYS USE A FRESH-AIR SYSTEM..NOT MASKSmasks leak so they dont give the protection you need for long term exposure.I use a mask only when Im outside mixing or gathering my equipment when the job is finished and I should be using the fresh air system while I do that.Also cover your skinsome of these chemical will get into your body through your skin.Good LuckKeep yourself safe..DO YOUR RESEARCH. Or will we be ok?? Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. If it is an occupied apartment, they have to sign a waiver that they will be gone the required amount of time. But if we get together as a group of experienced bathtub refinishers I am positive that we can come up with a simple solution that will keep us safe. Step 2: Clean the Tub Thoroughly Step 3: Protect Areas Around the Tub Step 4: Remove the Glaze Step 5: Sand the Surface Step 6: Prep the Surface for Glaze Application Changing up your tub is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget, Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. $ 89 00. In our blog we state that methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). I also had diarrhea several times this morning. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will.
Should you refinish, reglaze or replace your bathtub? - Today The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. I regret it so much! Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. My friend was in the bathroom for only 4 minutes until his co workers had discovered him lying head first into the bathtub, still wearing proper mask and gloves both of which in good condition. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. We face inspections every year where lots of tubs are refinished in this building.but no precautions are ever taken to protect the residents and their animals. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. There were 13 Fatal Exposures to Methylene Chloride Paint Strippers Among Bathtub Refinishers in the last decade. (Centers for Disease Control) Not to mention those who experience unexplained symptoms that go undiagnosed that may also be caused from these dangerous bathtub refinishing and paint stripping chemicals. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. All comments posted become a part of the public domain, and users are responsible for their comments. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. sprayed with materials that emit fumes which may be hazardous to the tenant's health if inhaled in the working concentration within the first 4-6 hours after completion of the job. I have read reglazing tub reviews where a few customers couldn't take the scent while others had no issue with the bathtub reglazing odor.
Overwhelming toxic fumes from renovations on a neighbor's apartment We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. Read more about our comment policy . I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. So, if the concentration were over the PEL, for example at 50 ppm, the workers would exceed the 25 ppm average limit in 4 hours. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. Why? 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. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. Avoid or minimize spraying methylene chloride. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. Hover Image to Zoom. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. 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. Mostly problem is that it can broken. God bless you! if we do we get evicted. Personally the bathtub reglazing odor resembles the aroma of a room after it has been painted and therefore the fragrance will keep within the facility for up to 2 days, this is not body odor we are . Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. Thanks!
Apartments | Specialized Refinishing Co. Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? good information Gail Scott i agree with you . Thanks for the post on this. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. Perhaps this us not the case. They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. That is really great to know. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Ron, There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. Barely 3 days later I now have pluracy and bronchitis, i feel the building should be held responsible as we werent notified of the dangers. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? It is now peeling off. This is in Australia. Wow! Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS But it's not just about looks. Its worth looking into how long a company has been in business andits rating with the Better Business Bureau to get a sense of their track record before commissioning a job. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. After most fumes and smell went away two days later i still had muscle pain and spasms all over, headache, very sick and weak, skin burned and stung, could feel it in my lungs. 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. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. Thanks for your comment. If proper ventilation is not possible, there needs to be a supervisor on watch in the room, or at least directly outside the door, ready to open immediately if the worker inside does not verbally respond to continuous 30 second verbal safety checks. Animal studies have shown that exposure to methylene chloride may lead to liver and lung cancer, as well as tumors in the breast and salivary glands. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? After doing research on reglazing chemicals typically used for bathtubs, we found that it's strongly suggested to (1) not be in the home for at least 48 hours after the reglazing and (2) that leaving windows open is not enough, but you must bring in some kind of ventilation gear such as hurricane fans or powered tubing to clear the area out . And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. MC is not flammable on its own. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. Its a multi-step process that involves cleaning the tub thoroughly and sanding it to remove any soap scum or other particles, and repairing cracks or worn areasall of these imperfections will affect the quality and durability of the final finishing coat. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. Traditional methods used for detecting methylene chloride involve air sampling pumps (calibrated at the desired air flow) and a sampling train with charcoal tubes as the collection media for methylene chloride. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. Thanks for sharing. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. (Removing a tub and installing a new one can cost thousands, and if youre in an apartment building, it might even require getting your downstairs neighbor involved as it may impact plumbing beyond your apartment. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. I think this should not be happening after 4 weeks but dont know what to do about it. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization?
PDF Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. Having your bathtub professionally refinished will cost around $460 (the national average), but you can expect to pay between $200 to $900 depending on the type of tub you have and the cost of labor in your location. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Although we cant say there is any particular hazard from these paint chips, it would be prudent to prevent your toddler from eating the paint chips or bathing the toddler in water with material that is degrading from the tub into the water. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. We do not tread lightly, so I think we are a good example to work off of in terms of durability., Of the overall aesthetic, particularly the walls, she says: If you look closely, it's a little weird as you see the indent of the grout lines, but it's all one texture. If the room where it was used is flushed with fresh air, perhaps by using a small fan, it is unlikely that any methylene chloride will be present or continue to leech out days after the re-glazing was done. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . She her nextwalked over to-door neighbor's apartment, where a team weari ng respirators was refinishi ng the bathroom with a spray-on resurfacing material and a chemical accelerator. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. 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. Keep up the good work! Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Thanks! I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. I stripped the lead paint off the outside of an old cast iron tub using a low-VOC paint stripper suitable for lead paint, and then primed and painted the exterior. i come back again this blog, any way i think I have 15 years experience with bathtub refinishing and stripping. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (, Moving to NYC after college?
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