What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. Thank you. 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. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. 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. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. 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. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. 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. Thanks for sharing. 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)). After a few years, she was diagnosed with lung cancer (she never smoked) and died in 1999. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. 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. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. What is the LEAST TOXIC alternative for bathtub reglazing? I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? Always wear hand and eye protection. Thanks for your comment. I opted in for your Feed too. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. But I keep on hitting dead ends. God bless you! She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. The concentration of the exposure is important too. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. (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. The tub needs to go. Why? I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? Dangers of Bathtub Refinishing | Blogs | CDC Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. Thanks for your comment. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. 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. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. 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. But if we ever have it done again, I will definitely check to be sure its a safe process for the workers AND the homeowners. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. Bathtub. Tub Cast Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit - Made In The USA - Odorless Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. OSHAs Methylene Chloride standard (29 CFR 1910.1052) requires employers to test the air to determine the concentration of methylene chloride present in the air when a product containing methylene chloride is used (29 CFR 1910.1052(d)). 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/ ). Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? I just bought this old house that has this beautiful tub if only it can get restored back to new. Thanks for telling us now. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? 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. 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. We sure take a lot things for granted. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. 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. Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. At Specialized Refinishing, we have a team of highly experienced, certified refinishing and reglazing technicians who can restore and revitalize a wide variety of surfaces and fixtures in your rental property or before you put a house on the market. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. Our beloved pet went into respiratory failure the next day, was rushed to the ER and spent three nights in the veterinarian ICU. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. We use MC (methylene chloride) in my furniture shop. 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? These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Bathtub Reglazing Los Angeles CA | Fiberglass Porcelain Refinishing The fumes were in her room not mine, i didnt know until i opened the door, we had put on the fan origionally for the smell, fumes came full blown after. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? Fatal Exposure to Methylene Chloride Among Bathtub Refinishers United We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. 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. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. 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. We need to care when the baths are refinished. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. 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. I recently had our tub sresurfaced as well as kitchen counters done, and the smell was so strong I dont know how these guys can do this every day. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. 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. In Europe, the use of paint strippers containing more than 0.1 % methylene chloride is allowed only in industrial installations with adequate controls to reduce exposure. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (, Moving to NYC after college? Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. Is that smell dangerous for children? There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. If this could be dangerous, government should put strict in purchasing this kind of toxic to avoid casualties for workers and even consumers. 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. This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. Surface Designers Remodeling Inc - Bathtub Refinishing in Houston, Texas It was a cold day, so I went back inside. Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. As my two other friends and I stood there over our lost brother, we could not help but cry, tell stories of our past together, and wish that he could hear us one last time. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). I cant tell you how many times Ive told others in the field that are doing this to make sure they have more ventilation and to remove or re-coat the tube out of the bathroom and to at least not to do it without the proper breathing apparatus. We are inconsolable. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Thank you. THANK YOU! We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage.
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