Gerda. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. This post was helpful to me too. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. Thanks. 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. 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). My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. In years past, when lead-based paints were used in various home applications, various studies showed that small children (toddlers) were known to ingest (eat) paint chips. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Thanks! Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. The concentration of the exposure is important too. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. I opted in for your Feed too. 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. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. 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. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. We understand the importance of protecting ourselves, the environment and most importantly our customers. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. Thank you for your comment. 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. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. What is this stuff? Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. I had no choice but to return home. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? 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. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. Changing up your tub is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget, Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. 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. When engineering and work practice controls cannot decrease methylene chloride levels below OSHAs PELs (25 ppm over an 8-hour TWA or 125 ppm over a 15-minute period), employers must provide their workers with full-face atmosphere-supplying respirators. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. 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. Not worth it. As exposure increases so do the health effects, with a potential for suffocation, loss of consciousness, coma, and sudden death. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Bathtub Reglazing Experts. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. 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. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. We have had a terrible experience. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. Hello We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! It was a cold day, so I went back inside. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. If methylene chloride was used to strip the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing (the focus of our blog), it is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. If it is an occupied apartment, they have to sign a waiver that they will be gone the required amount of time. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. Thanks so much for the info! (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. Thanks for your comment. Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. Use full-face air-supplied respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Cristine. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. 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). [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. 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. When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. Remove the overflow plate from the tub and begin the caulk removal stage.Start by removing the caulk around the tub where it meets the tile surround. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. Sometimes, you may need to refinish your bathtub which requires chemical coating with special kind of brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. 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. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. However no one is to blame, and no one is at fault. 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. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. 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 tried a couple of my wifes lotions to easy the burning, which has only made it worse.. any suggestion on what to take the stinging away.. Absolutely agree with this article. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. Or will we be ok?? Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. 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/. If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. We slept inside the apartment after the workers did the bathtub glazing, should we go to the clinic to make sure we are fine? I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. In February 2012, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to refinish a bathtub was found dead, slumped over a bathtub in an unventilated bathroom. I cannot replace the tub without it being a major, expensive remodel. 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. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. As a result, most tenants moved. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. 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. The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. I think they want things swept under the carpet. Thanks for telling us now. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. 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! CDC twenty four seven. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. Please respond quickly. Great article. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. If your bathroom has a window, set a fan near it pointing outwards; this will help move air and dissipate the fumes. I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. 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. Pre-leasing now launched at 595 Dean St., the newest rental development in Brooklyn's vibrant Prospect Heights, The roommate dilemma: It's much more expensive to rent an apartment in NYC all by yourself now. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. 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. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. 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. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure such as you describe. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. What to know about adding skylights to your NYC brownstone or apartment, How to evaluate different types of NYC contractor bids when you're renovating, New Yorkers moving out of state save more money on housing than taxes, 5 houses for sale in Margaretville, NY, a small town in the Catskills, 5 houses for sale in Sagaponack, the most expensive zip code in NY. All the tips in the post are great. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. Extraction during the process is everything. 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. Great information. Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. It took me a little bit to get used to, and while it doesn't look super cool, it's clean and an upgrade from the '90s pink tile for sure.. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). good cotent, i like it. Melissa. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. Liners can leak and create mold problems. This is in Australia. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. 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. 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 will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? 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. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Always wear hand and eye protection. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. Stay safe! How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? I would like to know. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. 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. 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. Why? NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? It's 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. I have stripped hundreds of tubs. 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. There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. That is really great to know. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. The fact of the matter is that using a professional that is trained and well-versed in the safety measures of bathtub refinishing; is critical, and can not only protect the owners of the property, but those performing the job! In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. However, products are more dangerous when they are sweet smelling, and as your article states your are already exposed once you smell it. Perhaps this us not the case. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. Ms. Scott thank you for your interest in our blog Dangers of Bathtub Refinishing and your question regarding how to assess exposure to toxic vapors. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. 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. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. 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. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? I and my two other friends went to the hospital last night to say our goodbyes. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. 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.

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