We tried to open our window a bit. The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. This may sound extreme, but I assure you, neglect to safety is not worth the life of a co worker, family member, or in my case a best friend. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. Thanks for telling us now. OSHA has regulations that sets a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 parts per million (ppm) as a time-weighted average (TWA) exposure over an 8-hour work shift. While bathtub refinishing is one I havent tried, I do know that in-home work with many types of cleaners, paints and strippers and adhesives is always going to be a concern due to poor air circulation indoors, and sometimes outdoors too. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Step 2: Clean the Tub Thoroughly Step 3: Protect Areas Around the Tub Step 4: Remove the Glaze Step 5: Sand the Surface Step 6: Prep the Surface for Glaze Application It was a cold day, so I went back inside. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. I opted in for your Feed too. Any other surfaces in the vicinity of the tub should be covered in protective paper and drop cloths, and you should wait a day or two to remove everything and use your bathroom and tub. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. Cristine. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. You should contact 911 and move to an area with fresh air (outside), or if possible open an window to let fresh air in. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? 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. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. 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. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? (before we had kids). This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. I have 3 kids in a tiny apt in Brooklyn. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. 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. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. share Share. Hover Image to Zoom. Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. 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. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. I cannot replace the tub without it being a major, expensive remodel. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. My cat and I were both really sick afterwards and my cat has now passed on.no one told us to go anywhere else, my cat was unable to be transported anyway and so was I since Im handicapped. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. (Airoldi'scontractor brought a fan and blew air out the bathroom window, and she was home during the job, but didn't find the smell intolerable.). 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. 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. No warning that fumes would make me sick. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? Bathtub Reglazing Experts. Thank you for your comment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. Thanks if you reply. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. Another interest in re-glazing is being fueled by informed masses who have shown a continued interest in "greening" their homes, particularly in making them more . Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. I am unknown form this . Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Refinishing a tub consists of applying a new chemical coating with a special brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub without removing the old layer first. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? I already have cancer, my throat was raw and I had a headache. Why? Thank you. I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. Stay safe! If youve got an old bathtub(or bathroom) and youre investigating your options for giving it an upgrade, youve likely come across the term reglazingalso known as refinishing or recoating, which can revive a tiredtub or evenold bathroom tile. Quite naive of me. 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. 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. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. Simply not worth the risk. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. That is pretty serious stuff. Bathtub Refinishing 101: Tackle This DIY Project in 7 Steps Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. Thanks! I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. Bathtub. Thanks for the post on this. A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. I think they want things swept under the carpet. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. Thanks! You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. The fact of the matter is that using a professional that is trained and well-versed in the safety measures of bathtub refinishing; is critical, and can not only protect the owners of the property, but those performing the job! 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. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. It smelled awful for days. 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. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. This post was helpful to me too. If the area is poorly ventilated (which is common in bathrooms) or the person doing the work isnt wearing the appropriate protective gear, they could stop breathing, or worsemethyl chloride has an effect similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. Thorough prep and and cleaning can preventbig headaches down the road. Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. Does anyone know if I should be worried? 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. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. 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. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. We had maintenance workers come by and resurface it earlier this week, but they did not properly ventilate the chemical smell and the stench is still there. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. 22 oz. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. I am older with heart disease and lung disease. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers 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. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. 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. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. Changing up your tub is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget, Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. Do fumes from reglazing a bathtub/shower make an apartment I would like to know. Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. I dont know of incidents that may have occurred, buy you can never be too careful with peoples lives. 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. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. thank you so much.
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