What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. Is that smell dangerous for children? Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. What to know about adding skylights to your NYC brownstone or apartment, How to evaluate different types of NYC contractor bids when you're renovating, New Yorkers moving out of state save more money on housing than taxes, 5 houses for sale in Margaretville, NY, a small town in the Catskills, 5 houses for sale in Sagaponack, the most expensive zip code in NY. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. CDC twenty four seven. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. All the tips in the post are great. Pacific Reglazing | Bathtub Reglazing Experts This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. Moreover, because methylene chloride evaporates quickly (it has a high vapor pressure), vapors can collect in the bottom of a bathtub and in the workers breathing zone when working in the bathtub. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. We need to care when the baths are refinished. Resurfacing with "Noxious Fumes" - Apartment Ideas - Multifamily Insiders Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. I just rented a house. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. Ive read some incredible information in this article. It is unsafe that s why we recomendto contact a professional to stripit for you. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. 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. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. But two days later it still bothers me. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. Very interesting. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. 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. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. Please respond quickly. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. I never post anything anywhere. His death could have been easily prevented if he had simply had a co worker outside the door to verbally check on him every 30 seconds. 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. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. Gerda. 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. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. I think this blog is very helpful in knowing about the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products.We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing.Thanks a lot for sharing. Understanding the Fumes Associated with Bathtub Refinishing Sometimes, you may need to refinish your bathtub which requires chemical coating with special kind of brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub. I think this should not be happening after 4 weeks but dont know what to do about it. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. Frequently Asked Questions - Bathtub Refinishing - Miracle Method Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. Does anyone know if I should be worried? During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. I had no choice but to return home. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. I had my tub reglazed recently. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. I would also like to issue one other caveat. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. Don't Replace, Renew | Surface Renew I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? Superior heavy duty Reglazing. He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General 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. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. I dont think I had the right mask on. Hi, this is all so helpful. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? *By signing up you agree to receive occasional emails on behalf of our sponsors, Copyright 2009-2022 by BrickUnderground | PrivacyPolicy | TermsofService | AdChoices | Login, National Association of Real Estate Editors. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. We tried to open our window a bit. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. 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 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. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? In years past, when lead-based paints were used in various home applications, various studies showed that small children (toddlers) were known to ingest (eat) paint chips. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). 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/ ). There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. Now Im cleaning up the interior; its not in terrible condition, but it has a few chips and the surface is not as smooth as Id like. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. I have been in hat business for 20 years. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. Finding a Miracle Method office. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. Mostly problem is that it can broken. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. Thanks for sharing. How to get your plans past the board, 3 NYC apartment bathroom renovation veterans on what they learned from the process, How to read a NYC co-op or condo buildings financial statement. 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. i come back again this blog, any way i think We understand the importance of protecting ourselves, the environment and most importantly our customers. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. Bathtub Refinishing Fumes - How To Protect Yourself - EzineArticles Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. Its staff and technicians from any and . 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). We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Thank you. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. If methylene chloride is used, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated during the entire refinishing process. But I keep on hitting dead ends. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. 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. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. As exposure increases so do the health effects, with a potential for suffocation, loss of consciousness, coma, and sudden death. I opted in for your Feed too. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Should you refinish, reglaze or replace your bathtub? - Today Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky thank you. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. However, you need to keep these essential health and safety considerations in mind whether you hire a contractor to refinish your tub or do it yourself. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. She enjoyed improving discarded furniture, then selling it it was like art to her. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. 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. In order to assess learn more about the products that are being used for the re-glazing, assess the air quality of your apartment, prevent exposure or remediate any hazards, seek assistance from the building owner or manager. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. (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. 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? 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.