tub resurfacing fumes apartment tub resurfacing fumes apartment

[Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. 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. 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. Thanks for your comment. 22 oz. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. 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. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. After an hour again, I decided to take a ride to feel fresh air. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. Based on this information, I think I can live with a less-than-perfect finish until we are able to get the tub professionally refinished. 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. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. There may also be substitute stripping products or methods however, please be aware that substitute stripping products may include other harmful chemicals or hazards, so use substitutes safely. Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. 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. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. Thank you. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. 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. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! 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/ ). We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. and products contain ISOs. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Not sure if it can come through the walls. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. Avoid or minimize spraying methylene chloride. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? That is pretty serious stuff. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. I had no choice but to return home. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. /box. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. It gives me hope to see that some commenters are specialists who are trying to recreate safer and more effective processes that will phase out use of this agent. I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. 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. Gerda. I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. 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. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. 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. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. The nearby exterior door was open for ventilation and the overhead fan was blowing and although they had a pipe going from the bathroom down the hall and out the front door this was not sufficient. I recently had our tub sresurfaced as well as kitchen counters done, and the smell was so strong I dont know how these guys can do this every day. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. God bless you! Bathtub refinishing is very risky. 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. 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. She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? Pros will have the correct gear, knowledge of how to ventilate the space and protect themselves, and familiarity with the various chemicals used so you dont need to worry about keeping yourself safe. If this could be dangerous, government should put strict in purchasing this kind of toxic to avoid casualties for workers and even consumers. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. 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. Is that legal? Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. 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. 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. And again, dont be afraid to ask. I dont know of incidents that may have occurred, buy you can never be too careful with peoples lives. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. 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. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. 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. 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. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. ARE THESE REGLAZED TUBS DANGEROUS AFTER THE PROCESS DRIES? Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. 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. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. 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. I had my tub reglazed recently. Or should I leave? The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. Now its already peeling. Thank you so much! Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? Ya, very helpful articles are posted. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. Thanks for sharing. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. We use MC (methylene chloride) in my furniture shop. There is an incredible amount of data We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! 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. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. Bathtubs should be refinished every seven to 10 years, or more frequently if there is significant damage, stained, or you (or your homes previous owners) havent been cleaning your bathtub the right way. 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 The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. My cat and I were both really sick afterwards and my cat has now passed on.no one told us to go anywhere else, my cat was unable to be transported anyway and so was I since Im handicapped. In Europe, the use of paint strippers containing more than 0.1 % methylene chloride is allowed only in industrial installations with adequate controls to reduce exposure. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). It is unsafe that s why we recomendto contact a professional to stripit for you. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. Agree with your perspective. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. 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. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. thank you so much. I went to clean out the tub to take another shower myself and by just barely cleaning it a whole bunch of paint came off, like over a foot and I was just barely scrubbing! We have had a terrible experience. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. When selecting a PID care must be taken to make sure that the instrument is equipped with a lamp that has the ionization potential necessary to detect methylene chloride (11.7 eV lamp). As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. 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. All the tips in the post are great. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. 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. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General, http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA, http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00, https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html, http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. (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. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. Good to see so much effort going into bringing awareness to bathtub refinishing in Waltham. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. Im not familiar with the Australian occupational health and safety system but you might want to start with Safe Work Australia http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA . He was found unconscious minutes later and was rushed to the emergency room, several neuro tests where done and they all concluded the same thing.. Kevin had been brain dead before he was found on the job. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We slept inside the apartment after the workers did the bathtub glazing, should we go to the clinic to make sure we are fine? Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. 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? So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Capital region housing in edmonton is the worst. 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. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. I would really like some reassurance. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. The fumes from stripping a tub of its previous coating(s) can contain methylene chloride, a colorless liquid that smells similar to chloroform and emits VOCs, aka volatile organic compounds. Finding a Miracle Method office. Quite naive of me. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. Bathtub. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. 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. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. If you are referring to paint strippers (which is what methylene Chloride is used for) one consideration would be using alternative methods, such as sanding. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. Hello. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. We have for years been trying to come up with a Stripper that will remove Epoxy DIY kits that do not have the Methylene Chloride but time is an issue. Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. 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 usually like to do things myself, but I think I will have to find someone to do my bathtub repair in concord ma. It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. I opted in for your Feed too. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! Karma: 3. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. A fresh air system is critical. Even if you hire a professional to reglaze or refinish your bathtub, you and your family or other residents should leave the property during the entire process, including while the epoxy coat cures after application. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. 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. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. OSHAs Methylene Chloride standard (29 CFR 1910.1052) requires employers to test the air to determine the concentration of methylene chloride present in the air when a product containing methylene chloride is used (29 CFR 1910.1052(d)). Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. Publication number 81-8c-2013. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. As a result, most tenants moved. As owner of a tub refinishing company we have moved away from polyurethane isocyanate systems years ago because of the hazards but, for educational purposes, we provide a dedicated page with links to various articles on our website explaining the dangers of isocyanate coating use in residential markets. I didnt realize this was so deadly. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile Thank you for sharing this useful information. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. According to the Centers of Disease Control, more than half a million children ages 1-5 in the U.S. have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health. If youve been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. I regret it so much! Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers What is this stuff? Use a qualified occupational safety and health specialist to assist in the design and installation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to effectively control vapors to below applicable PELs. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. Simply not worth the risk. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. 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. Your email address will not be published. I just bought this old house that has this beautiful tub if only it can get restored back to new. 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.