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. It is unsafe that s why we recomendto contact a professional to stripit for you. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. This article does a good job calling attention to the dangers of methylene chloride products and noting that many people dont know how dangerous it is. 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? Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. If methylene chloride is used, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated during the entire refinishing process. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. 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. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. 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 . good cotent, i like it. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. No warning that fumes would make me sick. 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. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. Thank you. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? Thank you. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? 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. Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. Thank you for your comment. Provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and fresh makeup air to exhaust vapors released from the stripping agents in the bathtub. Bathtubs should be refinished every seven to 10 years, or more frequently if there is significant damage, stained, or you (or your homes previous owners) havent been cleaning your bathtub the right way. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. Adults? I have read reglazing tub reviews where a few customers couldn't take the scent while others had no issue with the bathtub reglazing odor. i like it. 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.. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). 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. 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. 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. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. God bless you! After an hour again, I decided to take a ride to feel fresh air. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. It's 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 restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. Thank you so much! Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. Since methylene chloride is a volatile organic compound that will evaporate faster when sprayed, brushed, or poured, the chemical vapors can quickly build up in small spaces. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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 am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. There is an incredible amount of data My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. I just bought this old house that has this beautiful tub if only it can get restored back to new. 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. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. I opened my windows, all four. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? Thanks for your comment. Myown life was almost cut short stripping a bathtub and I was using the best Equipment money can buy but machinery or equipment can fail. 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. Is that dangerous as well? I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. I just rented a house. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. If they continue, you should consult your doctor. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. But it's not just about looks. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. How do I know if this is toxic? Thanks for this information. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. 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. 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. I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. 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. 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. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. The first one was a very long process because there was no air circulation what so ever si the two part paint kit kept separating from one another which kept me in the room with only my Tshirt pulled over my nose. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. My friend was in the bathroom for only 4 minutes until his co workers had discovered him lying head first into the bathtub, still wearing proper mask and gloves both of which in good condition. Vapors from this liquid can collect in the bottom of the tub and cause the person refinishing the tub to asphyxiate or even suffer from a heart attack because methyl chloride turns to carbon monoxide in the body, cutting off oxygen supply. You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. 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! What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. Thanks for sharing. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. Gerda. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. I would really like some reassurance. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. 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). Your email address will not be published. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. I have 3 kids in a tiny apt in Brooklyn. (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. 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. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). A 2015 report by the Center for Public Integrity on U.S. deaths connected to methylene chloride noted that researchers have argued for 30 years that regulation of methylene chloride in the U.S. isnt strong enough to protect workers and that warnings on labels for consumers are insufficient. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? 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. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. Extraction during the process is everything. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. 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. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. 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. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. and products contain ISOs. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Patrick. 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. After a few years, she was diagnosed with lung cancer (she never smoked) and died in 1999. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. 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 tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. We are inconsolable. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. "[The problem area] now takes up about a third of the bottom of the tub, because every time the water runs, more comes off," she says. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. Cristine. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. Stay safe! How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? 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. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. For example, if you have a beautiful clawfoot tub made from heavy cast iron, refinishing is absolutely the way to go. No one deserves to go through this heartache of losing a friend, due to a situation that could have easily been avoided. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. 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? When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. Bathtub refinishing fumes are most certainly dangerous during the application process and immediate curing process. Barely 3 days later I now have pluracy and bronchitis, i feel the building should be held responsible as we werent notified of the dangers. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! 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 only use stripper when absolutely necessary. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. 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/ ). HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. Hi, this is all so helpful. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. Hover Image to Zoom. Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? 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. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. AND DURING CLEANING. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. Open the bathroom door and as many . We are sorry to hear about your health issues. 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. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards.

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