A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. 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. Open the bathroom door and as many . We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. And again, dont be afraid to ask. I cannot replace the tub without it being a major, expensive remodel. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. 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! Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General 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. Always wear hand and eye protection. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. After doing research on reglazing chemicals typically used for bathtubs, we found that it's strongly suggested to (1) not be in the home for at least 48 hours after the reglazing and (2) that leaving windows open is not enough, but you must bring in some kind of ventilation gear such as hurricane fans or powered tubing to clear the area out . Personally the bathtub reglazing odor resembles the aroma of a room after it has been painted and therefore the fragrance will keep within the facility for up to 2 days, this is not body odor we are . Bathtub Reglazing Experts. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. There is an incredible amount of data Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. I went outside after he was finished. Thanks for telling us now. That is pretty serious stuff. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. I found out the hard way. Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. 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. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. After a few years, she was diagnosed with lung cancer (she never smoked) and died in 1999. The guy who came to do tub had a fancy breathing mask that covered his whole face and tubes attached to his belt I was concerned when I saw the precautions he took but said it was no problem. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. Perhaps this us not the case. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. When there is not a properly designed local exhaust ventilation system to remove vapors, the workers should have used full-face supplied-air respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. The specific effects of methylene chloride exposure will vary depending on several factors, such as the amount of methylene chloride the worker is exposed to, how long the exposure lasts, and whether the worker has a higher susceptibility (for example, having a preexisting heart condition). 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. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. 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. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. Use full-face air-supplied respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. 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. 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. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! Cristine. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. I stayed home all day, working around the house because there were two workers and didnt want to leave strangers in my home. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. The odor and fumes were suffocating. If proper ventilation is not possible, there needs to be a supervisor on watch in the room, or at least directly outside the door, ready to open immediately if the worker inside does not verbally respond to continuous 30 second verbal safety checks. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. 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. It was a cold day, so I went back inside. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. She refinished furniture in our garage. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. 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. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. If this could be dangerous, government should put strict in purchasing this kind of toxic to avoid casualties for workers and even consumers. good cotent, i like it. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. I think this type of finish should be banned. We do not have any information about the paint chips that are peeling off of your refinished bathtub. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. 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. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. Use a qualified occupational safety and health specialist to assist in the design and installation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to effectively control vapors to below applicable PELs. You should always wear protective clothing and use the appropriate safety-rated equipment whenever you are doing any household repair or remodeling work, and reglazing a bathtub is no exception. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. I have been in hat business for 20 years. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. Hover Image to Zoom. Keep up the good work! i like it. Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. sprayed with materials that emit fumes which may be hazardous to the tenant's health if inhaled in the working concentration within the first 4-6 hours after completion of the job. 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. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? Bathtub refinishing can be very dangerous indeed, I have seen many poorly trained so called bathtub refinishing specialists using dangerous chemicals to refinish bathtubs in peoples homes without the proper ventilation systems in place and without using the proper protective equipment necessary. 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 your comment.
