tub resurfacing fumes apartment tub resurfacing fumes apartment

Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. I opted in for your Feed too. Thanks for this information. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Posts: 19. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. Thanks for your comment. Thanks for telling us now. A fresh air system is critical. 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. 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. When there is not a properly designed local exhaust ventilation system to remove vapors, the workers should have used full-face supplied-air respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. 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? I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. But I keep on hitting dead ends. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. It was heart breaking. It can and will save your life. Not worth it. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. I never post anything anywhere. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. So we need extra care. Thank you so much! NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. 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. I did two tubs in old houses yesterday. 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. I have never thought of this before! My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. This is poor. For example, if you have a beautiful clawfoot tub made from heavy cast iron, refinishing is absolutely the way to go. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. I manage a home related business in Australia and we are often exposed to applications that we are unsure of what dangers we could be exposed to. 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. This post was helpful to me too. Is that legal? Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. 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. But two days later it still bothers me. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . 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. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. 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. 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 . Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. Thanks for the great post. If youve been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. 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. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? I have 3 kids in a tiny apt in Brooklyn. I had my tub reglazed recently. It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. Liners can leak and create mold problems. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. 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. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). 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. 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. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. Myown life was almost cut short stripping a bathtub and I was using the best Equipment money can buy but machinery or equipment can fail. Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. Finding a Miracle Method office. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. 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. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. Its highly toxic Teri. 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. Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. I didnt think too much about it. Thanks for the post on this. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. Keep up the good work! Adults? Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. 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). Capital region housing in edmonton is the worst. If the area is poorly ventilated (which is common in bathrooms) or the person doing the work isnt wearing the appropriate protective gear, they could stop breathing, or worsemethyl chloride has an effect similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any 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. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. We are inconsolable. Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. While a new tub can cost as little as $150, labor expenses for the replacement process can easily add $1,500 or more to the bill. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). I have 2 small kids and an infant. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. 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. I think our tub would look so much nicer if we had it refinished. Melissa. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. 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. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. And again, dont be afraid to ask. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. What is this stuff? The tub needs to go. Hello Im Derrick I used this last night now this morning Im sick as a dog headache stomachache am throwing up I didnt use a mask. I found out the hard way. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. 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. ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! ARE THESE REGLAZED TUBS DANGEROUS AFTER THE PROCESS DRIES? This is in Australia. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. So glad I read this. 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. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. Concessions return to the NYC rental market as recession fears slow leasing activity, The pros and cons of buying a penthouse apartment, Racism and the lack of diversity in the appraisal business, Making sense of the NYC real estate market with Jonathan Miller, The Brick Underground Podcast: Predators in the NYC rental market, with Hannah Levintova from Mother Jones, The Brick Underground Podcast: Protecting against fire and floods in your NYC apartment, The Brick Underground Podcast: Finding a deal as NYC landlords pull concessions and raise rents, The Brick Underground Podcast: Trading your NYC apartment for a cheap(er) vacation. 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. Patrick. 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/. Thanks for your comment. (273) Questions & Answers (148) +3. As my two other friends and I stood there over our lost brother, we could not help but cry, tell stories of our past together, and wish that he could hear us one last time. We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. His death could have been easily prevented if he had simply had a co worker outside the door to verbally check on him every 30 seconds. Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! Mostly problem is that it can broken. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? What is the LEAST TOXIC alternative for bathtub reglazing? Kimberly Evans. After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. Publication number 81-8c-2013. The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. 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. Your article has truly peaked my interest. The specific effects of methylene chloride exposure will vary depending on several factors, such as the amount of methylene chloride the worker is exposed to, how long the exposure lasts, and whether the worker has a higher susceptibility (for example, having a preexisting heart condition). Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? If your bathtub is on the older side, then youll need to determine whether its worthwhile to refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. 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. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. I think this blog is very helpful in knowing about the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products.We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing.Thanks a lot for sharing such a helpful information. Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. Is it safe to stay???? This is a great article. 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. Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. I do home remodeling in Dallas, and many homeowners want to try to salvage some tubs, which is cost effective for some, but certainly a chemical risk for the workers and I would think the homeowners need to be made aware of this type of chemical being used in their home. I think people always take safety for too lightly. Another interest in re-glazing is being fueled by informed masses who have shown a continued interest in "greening" their homes, particularly in making them more . Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. But if we ever have it done again, I will definitely check to be sure its a safe process for the workers AND the homeowners. Ive spoken with many other tub resurfacing company owners and employees, and most of them do not use or even own full-face air-supplied respirators. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. I think this type of finish should be banned. Great information. I have been in hat business for 20 years. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. 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. Bathtub refinishing can be very dangerous indeed, I have seen many poorly trained so called bathtub refinishing specialists using dangerous chemicals to refinish bathtubs in peoples homes without the proper ventilation systems in place and without using the proper protective equipment necessary. 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. Always wear hand and eye protection. 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. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? 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. The story notes also that worker protections are weak a shop in Chattanooga TN with numerous OSHA violations got fined only $1500 for the death of a teenage employee in 1999, and 7 years later, still had not implemented required safety measures. 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. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers.