tub resurfacing fumes apartment tub resurfacing fumes apartment

I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? Most professionals use alternative methods when possible. Hi, this is all so helpful. Pacific Reglazing provides high quality, affordable kitchen and bathroom repair and refinishing services throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, the San Fernando Valley, Ventura, Orange County and Riverside County. Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. All comments posted become a part of the public domain, and users are responsible for their comments. I think this should not be happening after 4 weeks but dont know what to do about it. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. Ive read some incredible information in this article. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. Thanks for this information. Bathtub refinishing is being used more by hotels, apartment complexes and homeowners because of a housing downturn, a mortgage-meltdown, and overall depressed and depressing economy as a way to save money in their bathroom renovation. 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. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. There were 13 Fatal Exposures to Methylene Chloride Paint Strippers Among Bathtub Refinishers in the last decade. (Centers for Disease Control) Not to mention those who experience unexplained symptoms that go undiagnosed that may also be caused from these dangerous bathtub refinishing and paint stripping chemicals. I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. We are not familiar with the finishes you mention. If you have a tub that has seen better days, but you dont want to remove and replace it completely, then you may need to have it reglazed or refinished to restore it to its original state. 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. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. Always wear hand and eye protection. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. Your article has truly peaked my interest. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. 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. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. We have had a terrible experience. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? I think people always take safety for too lightly. THANK YOU! It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. Any other surfaces in the vicinity of the tub should be covered in protective paper and drop cloths, and you should wait a day or two to remove everything and use your bathroom and tub. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? Our tub was just resurfaced today I was told six hours after they got done we could return to the apartment and stay the night just cant use the tub or take the tape off for 48 hours is that safe? I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. 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. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. 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)). 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. Thank you for sharing this useful information. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. Thanks! So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. How to get your plans past the board, 3 NYC apartment bathroom renovation veterans on what they learned from the process, How to read a NYC co-op or condo buildings financial statement. Is that legal? Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. 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. This is in Australia. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. Theyll also ensure adequate ventilation during the project, if necessary deploying powerful fans with duct extensions to exhaust hazardous vapors to the outdoors, says DeClerico. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. Very interesting. I have so many friends that are a part of DIY pages that encourage individuals to attempt these kinds of projects on their own, unknowingly knowing some of the real dangers. Thank you for this post. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? 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. If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will. 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. I would really like some reassurance. No warning that fumes would make me sick. We tried to open our window a bit. There is an incredible amount of data 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. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . Thank you for the great information. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Thanks for your comment. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Ron, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Changing up your tub is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget, Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? Thanks. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. I have asked for the list of chemicals they use but have not heard anything. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. Thank you. My friend was in the bathroom for only 4 minutes until his co workers had discovered him lying head first into the bathtub, still wearing proper mask and gloves both of which in good condition. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. 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. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, I had my tub reglazed recently. 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. Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. 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. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. 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. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. Thanks if you reply. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. 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. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. I think regulators should be aware of these dangers. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. The tub needs to go. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Liners can leak and create mold problems. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. If the chemical you are using is marked as flammable then you can be sure that it is not 100% MC. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. There is a lot of toxicological information available on the Internet which can be found by joining the term MSDS with as specific a description of the product about which you are interested in knowing. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. i like it. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. 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. Agree with your perspective. Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. 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. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. Publication number 81-8c-2013. 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. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. Patrick. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. 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. 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. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. It can and will save your life. 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. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. I did two tubs in old houses yesterday. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. (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. (Airoldi'scontractor brought a fan and blew air out the bathroom window, and she was home during the job, but didn't find the smell intolerable.). Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. I think they want things swept under the carpet. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. And again, dont be afraid to ask. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing.