Resurfacing with "Noxious Fumes" - Apartment Ideas - Multifamily Insiders 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. 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)). I have 2 small kids and an infant. 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. I did not realize how strong the chemical is, and now I am concerned about any (however microscopic) of this leeching into my bathwater and onto my skin. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Thanks! Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. However, the human body can quickly become desensitized to the smell and a worker may be overexposed even if he or she can no longer smell it. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. The Environmental Protection Agency provides general information and resources on indoor air quality in apartments, see https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments. I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. 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. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. 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. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. very good and helpful post thanks to author. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? Understanding the Fumes Associated with Bathtub Refinishing The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. 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. 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. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. 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. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. 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. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. We sure take a lot things for granted. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride I had my tub reglazed recently. An apartment maintenance man entered the apartment to look for the man and found him behind the closed bathroom door, unresponsive, and slumped over the tub. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. Good to see so much effort going into bringing awareness to bathtub refinishing in Waltham. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. 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. Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. Thats perhaps the number one reason trying to DIY it is not advisable (kits are available, but just leave it to the professionals). He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. 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 . I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. We need to care when the baths are refinished. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. 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. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? 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. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. good cotent, i like it. Traditional methods used for detecting methylene chloride involve air sampling pumps (calibrated at the desired air flow) and a sampling train with charcoal tubes as the collection media for methylene chloride. 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. 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. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. While a new tub can cost as little as $150, labor expenses for the replacement process can easily add $1,500 or more to the bill. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. I myself am in the process of creating a technique that will eliminate the need for methylene chloride. 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 . It took me a little bit to get used to, and while it doesn't look super cool, it's clean and an upgrade from the '90s pink tile for sure.. A fresh air system is critical. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General 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. Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. Hi, this is all so helpful. Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? HOPING THE SAME FINEST OPERATE IN THE UP COMING DAYS ALSO. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. Or will we be ok?? Bathtub refinishing is being used more by hotels, apartment complexes and homeowners because of a housing downturn, a mortgage-meltdown, and overall depressed and depressing economy as a way to save money in their bathroom renovation. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. 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? I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. I have been in hat business for 20 years. THANK YOU! This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. 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. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. i come back again this blog, any way i think Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. 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. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. 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. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. 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. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. 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. Apartments | Specialized Refinishing Co. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! thank you. The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Now what about substances that are used in bathtub refinishing as final top-coats such as Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane, or, another, as one company advertises: Porcelain Glaze-a new type of chemical finish. What is porcelain glaze? Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. Bathtub Reglazing Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself - TopKote This is poor. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. I have tried a couple of my wifes lotions to easy the burning, which has only made it worse.. any suggestion on what to take the stinging away.. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. Why is this not part of a home inspection, when you move into a house, built in 1950? NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. Absolutely agree with this article. 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. After a few years, she was diagnosed with lung cancer (she never smoked) and died in 1999. and products contain ISOs. PDF BATHTUB REFINISHING AND FIBERGLASS EXPERT - Reglazing Los Angeles After doing research on reglazing chemicals typically used for bathtubs, we found that it's strongly suggested to (1) not be in the home for at least 48 hours after the reglazing and (2) that leaving windows open is not enough, but you must bring in some kind of ventilation gear such as hurricane fans or powered tubing to clear the area out . Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. 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. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. 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. Dangers of Bathtub Refinishing | Blogs | CDC I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. 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)). Is that smell dangerous for children? The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. Bathtub Refinishing 101: Tackle This DIY Project in 7 Steps You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. 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? The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. Thank you! Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. Your article has truly peaked my interest. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. Thanks for the great post. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub.