tub resurfacing fumes apartment tub resurfacing fumes apartment

Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. In order to assess learn more about the products that are being used for the re-glazing, assess the air quality of your apartment, prevent exposure or remediate any hazards, seek assistance from the building owner or manager. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. One of the significant risks of refinishing a bathtub is exposure to methylene chloride or dichloromethane, which strips the tub and removes the previous glaze or finish. 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. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. Mostly problem is that it can broken. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? I also had diarrhea several times this morning. I think they want things swept under the carpet. Because this process, which involves spraying a new topcoat on your existing tub and/or tile, is significantly cheaper, easier, cleaner, and less time-consuming than actually replacing a tub. Im a Painting Contractor in Anchorage, Alaska and this is a really good post for me to see! Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Great article. 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. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. So glad I read this. I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. Winter renters lose leverage, questions for condo and co-op buyers, & more, The allure of tax abatements, a Chelsea affordable housing lottery, & more, Co-ops may have some 'splaining to do, renting a penthouse, & more. 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. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. 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. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. if we do we get evicted. We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. There is an incredible amount of data Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? 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. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? 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. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. If your bathroom has a window, set a fan near it pointing outwards; this will help move air and dissipate the fumes. Thank you for your comment. 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. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. 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). While NIOSH research and prevention efforts typically focus on workers, worker representatives and employers, the readers of this blog may be able to help us reach the do-it-yourself community who can face the same risks. Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. (before we had kids). Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. That is pretty serious stuff. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. good cotent, i like it. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. If you are considering refinishing your bathtub or shower, click on Find a Location or call our toll free locator number, 1-888-271-7690 . There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Good to see so much effort going into bringing awareness to bathtub refinishing in Waltham. 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. I live in Newark housing and I have been there for 11 years and every 9 months they have to paint the tub and I have to stay in the house after they paint it and it keeps messing up can you tell me what should I do. Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. THANK YOU! I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Jimmy White of Staten Island-based Custom Spraying and Reglazing, who has been doing it for more than 30 years and is considered the reglazer to the starsheworked on Faye Dunaway's and Candace Bergens bathroomssays it can be done in a few hours, plus 24 hours of dry time. Always wear hand and eye protection. Extraction during the process is everything. 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! I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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. 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. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. I found out the hard way. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. Thanks for your comment. keep blogging~! Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. Use a qualified occupational safety and health specialist to assist in the design and installation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to effectively control vapors to below applicable PELs. Contractors who handle bathtub refinishing or reglazing are well-versed in the health risks and OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Association) guidelines for risky jobs like these, making it an easy choice to bring in an expert for the task. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. Open the bathroom door and as many . 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). 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. 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. i come back again this blog, any way i think I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. Very interesting. Methyl chloride has high vapor pressure, meaning that it evaporates extremely quickly and turns into gas that can easily be inhaled, especially in a small bathroom that may not be adequately ventilated. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. We understand the importance of protecting ourselves, the environment and most importantly our customers. It has one small rust stain and is still moderately shiny. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. Thanks for your comment. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. But I keep on hitting dead ends. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Thanks. 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. Thank you. I am older with heart disease and lung disease. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. I stayed home all day, working around the house because there were two workers and didnt want to leave strangers in my home. If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Need professional help with your project? I have read many articles but this is different one. 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. 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. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. Bathtub. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. 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. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. 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. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. 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. Thank you for your comment. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. 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. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. We sure take a lot things for granted. However, we have shared the findings of this work and made recommendations to manufacturers and with agencies that may have regulatory/legal authority, including those with oversight beyond the workplace. The odor and fumes were suffocating. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. 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. 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. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. No warning that fumes would make me sick. 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. Even a tiny bit? This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! Consult the OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert for specific information regarding engineering controls, exposure levels and air monitoring, personal protective equipment, worker training and medical surveillance. If they continue, you should consult your doctor. 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. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. 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. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. 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. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. Or should I leave? I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. And again, dont be afraid to ask. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. a great article! 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 maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. I think regulators should be aware of these dangers. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. Thank you for this post. Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. It gives me hope to see that some commenters are specialists who are trying to recreate safer and more effective processes that will phase out use of this agent. Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers.