tub resurfacing fumes apartment

In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Thorough prep and and cleaning can preventbig headaches down the road. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. Thanks for the great post. I am older with heart disease and lung disease. 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. I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. i like it. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? Thank you. A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. 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. That is really great to know. The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. 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? I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. I understand the dangers of the application process, but what about the 2/3 days following the reglazing? I was researching because i just had a bad experience. 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. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. 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. Your article has truly peaked my interest. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. No warning that fumes would make me sick. The fumes were in her room not mine, i didnt know until i opened the door, we had put on the fan origionally for the smell, fumes came full blown after. 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. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. 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. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. Need professional help with your project? Capital region housing in edmonton is the worst. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. Karma: 3. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? As owner of a tub refinishing company we have moved away from polyurethane isocyanate systems years ago because of the hazards but, for educational purposes, we provide a dedicated page with links to various articles on our website explaining the dangers of isocyanate coating use in residential markets. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. I regret it so much! This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. 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. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! 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. It's a multi-step process that involves cleaning the tub thoroughly and sanding it to remove any soap scum or other particles, and repairing cracks or worn areasall of these imperfections will affect the quality and durability of the final finishing coat. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. 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 was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. Extraction during the process is everything. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. It was a cold day, so I went back inside. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I am thankful that I found this article before I made a final decision on whether or not to purchase a DIY kit for my tub interior. and it was very helpful for people, In addition to the hazards of strippers, old porcelain bathtubs, sinks and tiles manufactured before the mid-1990s could also have lead in the glaze, which could leach into bathwater, or if sanded or scraped could form a dust that if ingested by young children (who touch it with bare skin) could cause lead poisoning. We are sorry to hear about your health issues. 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 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. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Thanks! I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. You can refinish a tub yourself if youre a true DIY-er, but the new finish can look painted or different than the original color or texture. We do have pets and have young kids. 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. However, the human body can quickly become desensitized to the smell and a worker may be overexposed even if he or she can no longer smell it. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. As my two other friends and I stood there over our lost brother, we could not help but cry, tell stories of our past together, and wish that he could hear us one last time. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. 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. Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. 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)). Thanks for telling us now. 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. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. 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. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Great article. 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. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. It is now peeling off. 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. http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. 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. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. We sure take a lot things for granted. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. Bathtub refinishing is being used more by hotels, apartment complexes and homeowners because of a housing downturn, a mortgage-meltdown, and overall depressed and depressing economy as a way to save money in their bathroom renovation. 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. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. I think our tub would look so much nicer if we had it refinished. Why is this not part of a home inspection, when you move into a house, built in 1950? It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? If this could be dangerous, government should put strict in purchasing this kind of toxic to avoid casualties for workers and even consumers. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. 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. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Hover Image to Zoom. 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. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. Even if you hire a professional, let the area air out and keep it ventilated after the work is complete until you can no longer detect any unusual or chemical odors. 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/. Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. I recently had our tub sresurfaced as well as kitchen counters done, and the smell was so strong I dont know how these guys can do this every day. Why? Publication number 81-8c-2013. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. (273) Questions & Answers (148) +3. I opened my windows, all four. You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will. Ron, Winter renters lose leverage, questions for condo and co-op buyers, & more, The allure of tax abatements, a Chelsea affordable housing lottery, & more, Co-ops may have some 'splaining to do, renting a penthouse, & more. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. 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). I think there should be more regulation on access to such chemicals and certainly there should be stringent training laws in place when it comes to using such chemicals. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. Hello https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. 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. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. Thanks. Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. You can review and change the way we collect information below. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. The Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) program at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has profiled two businesses that successfully strip bathtubs without MC. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). When engineering and work practice controls cannot decrease methylene chloride levels below OSHAs PELs (25 ppm over an 8-hour TWA or 125 ppm over a 15-minute period), employers must provide their workers with full-face atmosphere-supplying respirators. 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 I blog often and I really appreciate your content. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. Always wear hand and eye protection. Perhaps this us not the case. 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 wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Thank you for sharing this useful information. 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. We are inconsolable. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. 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 such a helpful information. She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. Bathtub refinishing fumes are most certainly dangerous during the application process and immediate curing process. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). At Specialized Refinishing, we have a team of highly experienced, certified refinishing and reglazing technicians who can restore and revitalize a wide variety of surfaces and fixtures in your rental property or before you put a house on the market. 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.

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