A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. 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. She enjoyed improving discarded furniture, then selling it it was like art to her. So glad I read this. The Environmental Protection Agency provides general information and resources on indoor air quality in apartments, see https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. /box. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Extraction during the process is everything. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. 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. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. and it was very helpful for people, In addition to the hazards of strippers, old porcelain bathtubs, sinks and tiles manufactured before the mid-1990s could also have lead in the glaze, which could leach into bathwater, or if sanded or scraped could form a dust that if ingested by young children (who touch it with bare skin) could cause lead poisoning. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. 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. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Cristine. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. If you are considering refinishing your bathtub or shower, click on Find a Location or call our toll free locator number, 1-888-271-7690 . Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. Posts: 19. If your bathroom has a window, set a fan near it pointing outwards; this will help move air and dissipate the fumes. Everything You Need to Know About Bathtub Refinishing Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. If youve got an old bathtub(or bathroom) and youre investigating your options for giving it an upgrade, youve likely come across the term reglazingalso known as refinishing or recoating, which can revive a tiredtub or evenold bathroom tile. Changing ones business practices and methods can certainly be a daunting task and a big decision, but in the case of methylene chloride and bathtubs it is an important, potentially lifesaving one. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. Don't Replace, Renew | Surface Renew Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. Winter renters lose leverage, questions for condo and co-op buyers, & more, The allure of tax abatements, a Chelsea affordable housing lottery, & more, Co-ops may have some 'splaining to do, renting a penthouse, & more. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. However, during the refinishing process, it is not possible for us to guess what the airborne concentration of methylene chloride may be in your home without knowing how the workers will be using methylene chloride and how they plan to ventilate the work area and the house. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). thank you so much. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. 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. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. I think people always take safety for too lightly. 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). Those DIY kits are not cutting it. I cant tell you how many times Ive told others in the field that are doing this to make sure they have more ventilation and to remove or re-coat the tube out of the bathroom and to at least not to do it without the proper breathing apparatus. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? Frequently Asked Questions - Bathtub Refinishing - Miracle Method You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. Thanks if you reply. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Weve added a resource to try and educate those who are using these processes and offered a number of safer alternatives to using substances other than methylene chloride here: http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. I have used this product recently on a tub used all the proper PPE and approved NIOSH mask and jump suit and I have tasted this awful taste in my mouth for a couple of days its been 2 weeks and I still kinda feel it in my chest. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. "[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. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. Our blog focused on the exposures from methylene chloride to workers during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. Is the Bathtub Reglazing Odor Terrible? Learn About the Bathtub Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. It has one small rust stain and is still moderately shiny. That is really great to know. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. Thanks. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. 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. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. Hi, this is all so helpful. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. I did not realize how strong the chemical is, and now I am concerned about any (however microscopic) of this leeching into my bathwater and onto my skin. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Finding a Miracle Method office. Here's how to do it, How buying real estate in NYC is unlike anywhere else, A guide to using a no-fee renovation loan from a NYC real estate firm, How to make your NYC renovation more pet-friendly, From Boerum Hill to Prospect Lefferts Gardens: After years of renting, we wanted to buy a condo with amenities, What to know about buying in Briarwood, Queens, where you may score a house with a driveway and garage. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. 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. The guy who came to do tub had a fancy breathing mask that covered his whole face and tubes attached to his belt I was concerned when I saw the precautions he took but said it was no problem. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. Works on all types of surfaces. My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? Whether your tub is refinished or reglazed depends on whether or not the old coating was removed before putting a new layer of epoxy or another coating. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? Not worth it. To ensure their safety, the employees should have left the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. 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. Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors. I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. It can and will save your life. How Long Does It Take the Tub to Dry After Reglazing? Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. Thanks for telling us now. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. Ron, I have never thought of this before! 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. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. 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. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. 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 did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. Is that dangerous as well? I have read many articles but this is different one. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Their cost is at least twice as expensive as Miracle Method refinishing and can take up to 3 to 4 weeks from ordering to installation. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. Employers must ensure that workers are not exposed to levels above OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs) of 25 parts per million (ppm) over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and 125 ppm over any 15-minute period (short-term exposure limit or STEL) (29 CFR 1910.1052(c)). I live in Newark housing and I have been there for 11 years and every 9 months they have to paint the tub and I have to stay in the house after they paint it and it keeps messing up can you tell me what should I do. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. I had no choice but to return home. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. Bathtub Refinishing 101: Tackle This DIY Project in 7 Steps The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Will these chemicals be leaching out of the surface, presenting a health concern from contact? Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. 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. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. I think there should be more regulation on access to such chemicals and certainly there should be stringent training laws in place when it comes to using such chemicals. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. 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. Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any 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. Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. I found out the hard way. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Our blog focused on the exposures from methylene chloride to workers during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. I have learned some incredible information in this report. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. Its staff and technicians from any and . Unfortunately, manufacturers tend to play-down the immediate and especially long-term exposure risks from degassing (fumes) that occur perhaps over the next month or more. You can refinish a tub yourself if youre a true DIY-er, but the new finish can look painted or different than the original color or texture. It is a less costly alternative to replacing a bathtub; however, the process often involves the use of hazardous chemicals including methylene chloride, acids, and isocyanates. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. Thats perhaps the number one reason trying to DIY it is not advisable (kits are available, but just leave it to the professionals). One of the significant risks of refinishing a bathtub is exposure to methylene chloride or dichloromethane, which strips the tub and removes the previous glaze or finish. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. Karma: 3. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. All the tips in the post are great. This article does a good job calling attention to the dangers of methylene chloride products and noting that many people dont know how dangerous it is. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products.I think this type of finish should be banned.This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Methyl chloride has high vapor pressure, meaning that it evaporates extremely quickly and turns into gas that can easily be inhaled, especially in a small bathroom that may not be adequately ventilated. 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. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. 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. Hello Liners can leak and create mold problems. It seemed like this article focused more on the concerns of MC and not ISO is there a follow up article that is just based on Isocyantes? Also you should understand between difference between Refinishing (without removing the old layer first) and Reglazing (stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub) a Bathtub.
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