We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. (before we had kids). We have had a terrible experience. Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky 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. Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. 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. 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. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. 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. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. There are bathtub refinishing companies out there, [company name removed] are using safe processes for refinishing your bathtub, you just have to ask the tough questions. 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. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. It was a cold day, so I went back inside. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. In February 2012, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to refinish a bathtub was found dead, slumped over a bathtub in an unventilated bathroom. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. Keep up the good work! Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. After an hour again, I decided to take a ride to feel fresh air. Thanks for your comment. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. Unfortunately, manufacturers tend to play-down the immediate and especially long-term exposure risks from degassing (fumes) that occur perhaps over the next month or more. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? Resurfacing with "Noxious Fumes" - Apartment Ideas - Multifamily Insiders I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. You can review and change the way we collect information below. Posts: 19. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! Thanks! 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. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. Thanks for your comment. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. 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)). If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. What is this stuff? 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. 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. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. Adults? Bathtub. The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. MC is not flammable on its own. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. Concessions return to the NYC rental market as recession fears slow leasing activity, The pros and cons of buying a penthouse apartment, Racism and the lack of diversity in the appraisal business, Making sense of the NYC real estate market with Jonathan Miller, The Brick Underground Podcast: Predators in the NYC rental market, with Hannah Levintova from Mother Jones, The Brick Underground Podcast: Protecting against fire and floods in your NYC apartment, The Brick Underground Podcast: Finding a deal as NYC landlords pull concessions and raise rents, The Brick Underground Podcast: Trading your NYC apartment for a cheap(er) vacation. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). $ 89 00. Sometimes, its less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if its a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. 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? if we do we get evicted. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . Hello Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? However, products are more dangerous when they are sweet smelling, and as your article states your are already exposed once you smell it. The concentration of the exposure is important too. If you are referring to paint strippers (which is what methylene Chloride is used for) one consideration would be using alternative methods, such as sanding. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. Thank you. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? Quite naive of me. Im a Painting Contractor in Anchorage, Alaska and this is a really good post for me to see! Bare minimum, the ventilation should meet some requirements, and homeowners should HAVE to LEAVE THE HOUSE for 3 days. 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. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. 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. Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? 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. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. Not worth it. good cotent, i like it. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. This post was helpful to me too. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. How to Refinish A Bathtub - DIY Bathtub Refinishing The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. Is Bathtub Refinishing Safe? | Tub Reglazing Fumes & Safety - Angi I manage a home related business in Australia and we are often exposed to applications that we are unsure of what dangers we could be exposed to. Bathtub Reglazing Los Angeles CA | Fiberglass Porcelain Refinishing My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. All the tips in the post are great. Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. /box. This post was helpful to me too. Bathtub Refinishing | Benefits & Considerations in 2023 | REthority Hi, this is all so helpful. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. 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. Is that legal? Here's how to do it, How buying real estate in NYC is unlike anywhere else, A guide to using a no-fee renovation loan from a NYC real estate firm, How to make your NYC renovation more pet-friendly, From Boerum Hill to Prospect Lefferts Gardens: After years of renting, we wanted to buy a condo with amenities, What to know about buying in Briarwood, Queens, where you may score a house with a driveway and garage. I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. This is a great article. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. It can and will save your life. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. I went outside after he was finished. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. They were wearing some gas mask type stuff while they were doing it, but I have noticed even after spraying the fumes were strong; and I was outside when they did this.
