I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. MC is not flammable on its own. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. 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. Posts: 19. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. We can ask questions and be well-informed. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. 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. Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. 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? Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. Ive read some incredible information in this article. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. We sure take a lot things for granted. There is an incredible amount of data Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? 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). Patrick. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. You can review and change the way we collect information below. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! 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. 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. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. When the door is closed for a while it gets very strong and when its open one can hardly smell it but that does not mean it is not there. I think regulators should be aware of these dangers. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? 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. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. 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. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. 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 health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. THANK YOU! Thanks! Thank you for this post. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. 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. We had maintenance workers come by and resurface it earlier this week, but they did not properly ventilate the chemical smell and the stench is still there. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. Im not familiar with the Australian occupational health and safety system but you might want to start with Safe Work Australia http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA . What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. 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. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. However, we have shared the findings of this work and made recommendations to manufacturers and with agencies that may have regulatory/legal authority, including those with oversight beyond the workplace. I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. We are inconsolable. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? 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. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Absolutely agree with this article. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. Hello. The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. When working with stripper or using solvents,acid,etcas well as applying your refinishing product.ALWAYS USE A FRESH-AIR SYSTEM..NOT MASKSmasks leak so they dont give the protection you need for long term exposure.I use a mask only when Im outside mixing or gathering my equipment when the job is finished and I should be using the fresh air system while I do that.Also cover your skinsome of these chemical will get into your body through your skin.Good LuckKeep yourself safe..DO YOUR RESEARCH. 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. Because this process, which involves spraying a new topcoat on your existing tub and/or tile, is significantly cheaper, easier, cleaner, and less time-consuming than actually replacing a tub. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. Thanks for your comment. Refinishing a tub consists of applying a new chemical coating with a special brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub without removing the old layer first. 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. Not worth it. Employers must ensure that workers are not exposed to levels above OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs) of 25 parts per million (ppm) over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and 125 ppm over any 15-minute period (short-term exposure limit or STEL) (29 CFR 1910.1052(c)). I have asked for the list of chemicals they use but have not heard anything. a great article! Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. The first one was a very long process because there was no air circulation what so ever si the two part paint kit kept separating from one another which kept me in the room with only my Tshirt pulled over my nose. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. I have learned some incredible information in this report. 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. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. However, products are more dangerous when they are sweet smelling, and as your article states your are already exposed once you smell it. We slept inside the apartment after the workers did the bathtub glazing, should we go to the clinic to make sure we are fine? Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. 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. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. 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. The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. I have read many articles but this is different one. I was researching because i just had a bad experience. Thank you for your comment. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. Adults? Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. My friend was in the bathroom for only 4 minutes until his co workers had discovered him lying head first into the bathtub, still wearing proper mask and gloves both of which in good condition. Thanks for sharing. Finding a Miracle Method office. Their cost is at least twice as expensive as Miracle Method refinishing and can take up to 3 to 4 weeks from ordering to installation. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. I have never thought of this before! https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. /box. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. But I keep on hitting dead ends. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. We are sorry to hear about your health issues. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Its 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. Thank you so much! Will these chemicals be leaching out of the surface, presenting a health concern from contact? Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. I cannot replace the tub without it being a major, expensive remodel. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. I cant tell you how many times Ive told others in the field that are doing this to make sure they have more ventilation and to remove or re-coat the tube out of the bathroom and to at least not to do it without the proper breathing apparatus. We face inspections every year where lots of tubs are refinished in this building.but no precautions are ever taken to protect the residents and their animals. Jimmy White of Staten Island-based Custom Spraying and Reglazing, who has been doing it for more than 30 years and is considered the reglazer to the starsheworked on Faye Dunaway's and Candace Bergens bathroomssays it can be done in a few hours, plus 24 hours of dry time.
Tina Setkic Business School,
Your Spending Account Dallas, Tx,
Readnquiz Book List,
Articles T
