tub resurfacing fumes apartment
Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. It is a less costly alternative to replacing a bathtub; however, the process often involves the use of hazardous chemicals including methylene chloride, acids, and isocyanates. MC is not flammable on its own. This is poor. If youve been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. Thank you for your comment. We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. We do not tread lightly, so I think we are a good example to work off of in terms of durability., Of the overall aesthetic, particularly the walls, she says: If you look closely, it's a little weird as you see the indent of the grout lines, but it's all one texture. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. 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. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. Thank you for sharing this useful information. I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. I have tried a couple of my wifes lotions to easy the burning, which has only made it worse.. any suggestion on what to take the stinging away.. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. My question is about whether it leaches during use. I did two tubs in old houses yesterday. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. Sometimes, it's less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if it's a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. 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. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. Bathtub. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. But I keep on hitting dead ends. 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. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers. I found out the hard way. 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 . If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. 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. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. 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. 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. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. 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. It is now peeling off. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. We do have pets and have young kids. 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. Its staff and technicians from any and . 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. When I smell the tiles I can not smell anything but with my nose close to the bathtub I can smell a sweetish sour chemical smell. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Absolutely agree with this article. Gerda. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. I would really like some reassurance. This post was helpful to me too. 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. 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. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. I would also like to issue one other caveat. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers If you have a tub that has seen better days, but you dont want to remove and replace it completely, then you may need to have it reglazed or refinished to restore it to its original state. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. 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. Of course I wont be using it for a good week or so just to be safe, but I dont even use bleach or Flash to clean my tub because of the chemicals getting into the bathwater; even rinsing thoroughly. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. Thank you for your comment. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. Thanks for your comment. 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. 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. Melissa. 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. You can review and change the way we collect information below. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. All comments posted become a part of the public domain, and users are responsible for their comments. Thank you. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. Even a tiny bit? Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Posts: 19. I had my tub reglazed recently. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. I have read reglazing tub reviews where a few customers couldn't take the scent while others had no issue with the bathtub reglazing odor. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. 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 . 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. Thanks for your comment. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. 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. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride (paint stripper) directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! 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 better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. But it's not just about looks. So, if the concentration were over the PEL, for example at 50 ppm, the workers would exceed the 25 ppm average limit in 4 hours. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Thanks for your comment. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. Having your bathtub professionally refinished will cost around $460 (the national average), but you can expect to pay between $200 to $900 depending on the type of tub you have and the cost of labor in your location. print Print. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do.
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