No warning that fumes would make me sick. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. 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! Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . 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 use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Weve added a resource to try and educate those who are using these processes and offered a number of safer alternatives to using substances other than methylene chloride here: http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. After most fumes and smell went away two days later i still had muscle pain and spasms all over, headache, very sick and weak, skin burned and stung, could feel it in my lungs. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. 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 . If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. It smelled awful for days. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. Thanks for sharing. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. 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)). Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. I have never thought of this before! From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Thanks so much for the info! Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. What is the LEAST TOXIC alternative for bathtub reglazing? 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. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. 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. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The nearby exterior door was open for ventilation and the overhead fan was blowing and although they had a pipe going from the bathroom down the hall and out the front door this was not sufficient. 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. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. I dont think I had the right mask on. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. The tub needs to go. Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! In our blog we state that methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. 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. Resurfacing with "Noxious Fumes" - Apartment Ideas - Multifamily Insiders I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. We understand the importance of protecting ourselves, the environment and most importantly our customers. 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. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. God bless you! Patrick. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. They know where people bathe. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Publication number 81-8c-2013. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. 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. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. We use MC (methylene chloride) in my furniture shop. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? 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. Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. We are sorry to hear about your health issues. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. I had my tub reglazed recently. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. Thanks. The past three days have been the hardest in my entire life. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. 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. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Thanks for your comment. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . Please respond quickly. 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. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. 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. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? share Share. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. HOPING THE SAME FINEST OPERATE IN THE UP COMING DAYS ALSO. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Even a tiny bit? If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? 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. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Hello Im Derrick I used this last night now this morning Im sick as a dog headache stomachache am throwing up I didnt use a mask. Remove the overflow plate from the tub and begin the caulk removal stage.Start by removing the caulk around the tub where it meets the tile surround. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? I would like to know. Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. 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. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. 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. Or will we be ok?? Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. Gerda. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. Bathtub Refinishing 101: Tackle This DIY Project in 7 Steps If the room where it was used is flushed with fresh air, perhaps by using a small fan, it is unlikely that any methylene chloride will be present or continue to leech out days after the re-glazing was done. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. 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. 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. 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? After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. Simply not worth the risk. Thorough prep and and cleaning can preventbig headaches down the road. 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.. Thanks for the post on this. PDF BATHTUB REFINISHING AND FIBERGLASS EXPERT - Reglazing Los Angeles 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. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. This post was helpful to me too. 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. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. Should you refinish, reglaze or replace your bathtub? - Today Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. She enjoyed improving discarded furniture, then selling it it was like art to her. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). But I keep on hitting dead ends. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. [MI, USA] Botched reglazing of apartment bathtub results in one cat I went outside after he was finished. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any Its like trying to paint a car yourself. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. 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. Thank you for the great information. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. We do not have any information about the paint chips that are peeling off of your refinished bathtub. Not worth it. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? Thanks if you reply. Works on all types of surfaces. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. I think people always take safety for too lightly. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. 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. So we need extra care. Rents an apartment with ventilation that mixes with neighbors and brings odors from adjacent apartments, Was subjected to highly toxic fumes from maintenance being performed on a neighboring apartment Suffered from effects of those fumes, and nearly succumbing to them Our beloved pet went into respiratory failure the next day, was rushed to the ER and spent three nights in the veterinarian ICU. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. Open the bathroom door and as many . The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. Thank you. However no one is to blame, and no one is at fault. I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. 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. Founding Farmers Nutrition, Rheem Tankless Water Heater Error Code C8 76, Does Curtis Stone Wear A Hearing Aid, Articles T
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