[Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. If the cost of removing the old tub and installing a new one versus reglazing are similar or your tub is particularly old or damaged, it might be better to get a new one. Absolutely agree with this article. and products contain ISOs. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? I asked the doctors if they collect lifestyle information and report it to the government so correlations can be made about cause and effect they said no. Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? HOPING THE SAME FINEST OPERATE IN THE UP COMING DAYS ALSO. The concentration of the exposure is important too. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. There are bathtub refinishing companies out there, [company name removed] are using safe processes for refinishing your bathtub, you just have to ask the tough questions. No warning that fumes would make me sick. I have 3 kids in a tiny apt in Brooklyn. Your email address will not be published. Thank you for your comment. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. However, you need to keep these essential health and safety considerations in mind whether you hire a contractor to refinish your tub or do it yourself. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. 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. 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. 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. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. thank you so much. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. 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. 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. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. I think this type of finish should be banned. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. 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. $ 89 00. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? Pros will have the correct gear, knowledge of how to ventilate the space and protect themselves, and familiarity with the various chemicals used so you dont need to worry about keeping yourself safe. 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. She enjoyed improving discarded furniture, then selling it it was like art to her. 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. Hello We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. 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. 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. 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. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. Its highly toxic Teri. Bathtub Reglazing Experts. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Thanks for your comment. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? 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. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. 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. 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. I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. Thanks for the post on this. I myself am in the process of creating a technique that will eliminate the need for methylene chloride. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! I think regulators should be aware of these dangers. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. Please respond quickly. So we need extra care. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. 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? We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. 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. I think there should be more regulation on access to such chemicals and certainly there should be stringent training laws in place when it comes to using such chemicals. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. We are inconsolable. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. It can and will save your life. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. I didnt realize this was so deadly. Thanks! I would really like some reassurance. 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. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. I am Gary Goel owner of the Professional Bathtub Refinishers Association. Long-term exposure may cause cancer in humans. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. 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. If they continue, you should consult your doctor. 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. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. Not sure if it can come through the walls. Kimberly Evans. If your bathroom has a window, set a fan near it pointing outwards; this will help move air and dissipate the fumes. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. All the tips in the post are great. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. You should contact 911 and move to an area with fresh air (outside), or if possible open an window to let fresh air in. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. 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. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. Im not familiar with the Australian occupational health and safety system but you might want to start with Safe Work Australia http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA . What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. 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. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. We do have pets and have young kids. Your article has truly peaked my interest. 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. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. 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. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. Does anyone know if I should be worried? However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. 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. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. I think our tub would look so much nicer if we had it refinished. Refinishing a bathtub is a fraction of the cost to replace your bathtub (around $2,900), so if youre at all hesitant about your DIY skills, hiring a pro is a somewhat small price to pay for your health and safety. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Now its already peeling. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. Thanks for sharing. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. Rents an apartment with ventilation that mixes with neighbors and brings odors from adjacent apartments, Was subjected to highly toxic fumes from maintenance being performed on a neighboring apartment Suffered from effects of those fumes, and nearly succumbing to them Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished.
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