And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. I have no experience in this type of work, my day job is a guidance counselor, but I started thinking about how we might prevent these fatalities from happening going forward, if using MC. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. This post was helpful to me too. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. 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. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. 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. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? Im a Painting Contractor in Anchorage, Alaska and this is a really good post for me to see! good cotent, i like it. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. I am all for saving money and dont wish to come off like I dont appreciate the effort but if your already saving $5000 why not let a pro do it. Works on all types of surfaces. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. Absolutely agree with this article. Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Bathtub Refinishing - Miracle Method For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. We are inconsolable. Karma: 3.
Is the Bathtub Reglazing Odor Terrible? Learn About the Bathtub I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. Thank you! We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. And again, dont be afraid to ask. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! While bathtub refinishing is one I havent tried, I do know that in-home work with many types of cleaners, paints and strippers and adhesives is always going to be a concern due to poor air circulation indoors, and sometimes outdoors too. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP.
Resurfacing with "Noxious Fumes" - Apartment Ideas - Multifamily Insiders They were wearing some gas mask type stuff while they were doing it, but I have noticed even after spraying the fumes were strong; and I was outside when they did this. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. We need to care when the baths are refinished. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. Thanks for this information. Thanks for sharing. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. Thanks for your comment. Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used.
Fatal Exposure to Methylene Chloride Among Bathtub Refinishers United Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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). Thanks for the post on this. Why? The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. print Print.
Pacific Reglazing | Bathtub Reglazing Experts We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. 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. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Mostly problem is that it can broken. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. Thanks so much for the info! It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. There is an incredible amount of data A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? 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 think our tub would look so much nicer if we had it refinished. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. thank you so much. Hi, this is all so helpful. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. Is it safe to stay???? He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. Although we cant say there is any particular hazard from these paint chips, it would be prudent to prevent your toddler from eating the paint chips or bathing the toddler in water with material that is degrading from the tub into the water. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? very good and helpful post thanks to author. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. We had maintenance workers come by and resurface it earlier this week, but they did not properly ventilate the chemical smell and the stench is still there. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. Wow! We are sorry to hear about your health issues. I have never thought of this before! It seemed like this article focused more on the concerns of MC and not ISO is there a follow up article that is just based on Isocyantes? 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. This may sound extreme, but I assure you, neglect to safety is not worth the life of a co worker, family member, or in my case a best friend.
Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. 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. Ron, Its highly toxic Teri. 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. Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. 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. 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. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? 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.
PDF BATHTUB REFINISHING AND FIBERGLASS EXPERT - Reglazing Los Angeles Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. Never stay where resurfacing is being done. Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. I have asked for the list of chemicals they use but have not heard anything. 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. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. 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. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? Posts: 19. Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. 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. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. Melissa. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either.
Myths About Bathtub Refinishing | Specialized Refinishing Co. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. Even if they come in a spray can unless you really know how to spray a cross hatch overlap pattern then you will have dry edges. Thanks for your comment. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. Thank you. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. If youve been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. We have had a terrible experience. 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? If youve got an old bathtub(or bathroom) and youre investigating your options for giving it an upgrade, youve likely come across the term reglazingalso known as refinishing or recoating, which can revive a tiredtub or evenold bathroom tile. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. If this could be dangerous, government should put strict in purchasing this kind of toxic to avoid casualties for workers and even consumers. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. 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. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. 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. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. After an hour again, I decided to take a ride to feel fresh air. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? 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. We sure take a lot things for granted. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing.
Tub Cast Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit - Made In The USA - Odorless I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, 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. 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. Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. Finding a Miracle Method office. Why is this not part of a home inspection, when you move into a house, built in 1950? 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. 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. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. 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. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. I would like to know. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. A 2015 report by the Center for Public Integrity on U.S. deaths connected to methylene chloride noted that researchers have argued for 30 years that regulation of methylene chloride in the U.S. isnt strong enough to protect workers and that warnings on labels for consumers are insufficient. Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. 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. Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile 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. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. 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. Gerda. This is in Australia. Thanks if you reply. Not worth it. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. Patrick. 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. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. ARE THESE REGLAZED TUBS DANGEROUS AFTER THE PROCESS DRIES? 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. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles).
22 oz. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White Long-term exposure may cause cancer in humans. 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. I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. Thanks for your comment. 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! It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. This article does a good job calling attention to the dangers of methylene chloride products and noting that many people dont know how dangerous it is. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. 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 . Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. 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 am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed?
Bathtub Reglazing Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself - TopKote I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture.