See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . Whenever respirators are required to be worn, the employer must establish and implement a complete respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of OSHAs Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), including proper selection, usage, training and medical surveillance (OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, February 2013, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2013-110 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-110/ ). Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. 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. 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. Thank you for sharing this useful information. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Thanks if you reply. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys I think our tub would look so much nicer if we had it refinished. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride (paint stripper) directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. Thank you for your comment. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. I already have cancer, my throat was raw and I had a headache. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. 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? 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? 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. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. thank you so much. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. Extraction during the process is everything. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. 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? 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 company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. a great article! Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. Wow! If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. Thank you. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. Most professionals use alternative methods when possible. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. If methylene chloride is used, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated during the entire refinishing process. *By signing up you agree to receive occasional emails on behalf of our sponsors, Copyright 2009-2022 by BrickUnderground | PrivacyPolicy | TermsofService | AdChoices | Login, National Association of Real Estate Editors. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? For example, if your pipes have burst, spilling water into the unit, a day or two may be reasonable, assuming that the landlord can employ a qualified repair person within that time period . Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. 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. 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. I would like to know. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. 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 have 3 kids in a tiny apt in Brooklyn. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. Not worth it. Thank you for the great information. 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. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? He also had a small fan in the bathroom window to remove the fumes, as well as towels on the floor to prevent odors from coming into the living area. After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. As a result, most tenants moved. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. 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. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Thanks! NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. /box. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Is that smell dangerous for children? We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. With just a day or two of work, reglazing the centerpiece of your bathroom with a durable coating and color is an easy way to give your tub a quick facelift without breaking the bank. Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. 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. I have been in hat business for 20 years. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. Sometimes, it's less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if it's a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. Thanks! Please respond quickly. I have learned some incredible information in this report. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. I am unknown form this . The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? The coating and sanding are done alternatively. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. If the job is not done right it starts to peel, he says. According to the Centers of Disease Control, more than half a million children ages 1-5 in the U.S. have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. This post was helpful to me too. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Good to see so much effort going into bringing awareness to bathtub refinishing in Waltham. 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. There is apparently limited research on this issue, but there are case studies of some children getting lead poisoning from bathing in an old bathtub that was leaching lead. Hello. We sure take a lot things for granted. 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. Hello My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. and products contain ISOs. Or will we be ok?? My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. 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. $ 89 00. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. 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. Whether your tub is refinished or reglazed depends on whether or not the old coating was removed before putting a new layer of epoxy or another coating. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. 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. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. She her nextwalked over to-door neighbor's apartment, where a team weari ng respirators was refinishi ng the bathroom with a spray-on resurfacing material and a chemical accelerator. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. Agree with your perspective. 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. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. print Print. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. Thank you for your comment. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. 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. Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. You should always wear protective clothing and use the appropriate safety-rated equipment whenever you are doing any household repair or remodeling work, and reglazing a bathtub is no exception. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. 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. Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. We are not familiar with the finishes you mention. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. 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. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. I went outside after he was finished. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. It was heart breaking. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. Its highly toxic Teri. I found out the hard way. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. 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. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. 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. Thank you for this post. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Long-term exposure may cause cancer in humans. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. God bless you! Note that humidity affects both dry time and how well the topcoat bonds to the surface, so the cool, less-humid seasons of fall or spring providethe best conditions for this type of work. Great information. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. 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. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles).
Truman Capote Memorable Characters,
Luxturna Revenue 2020,
Brian Bell Cleveland Browns,
Bull In Norse Mythology,
Articles T