Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Home Repair (alt.home.repair) For all homeowners and DIYers with many experienced tradesmen. Solve your toughest home fix-it problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Lead exposure from old bathtub - refinishing?
Hullo,
We have recently (2 months ago) moved into a 100-year-old house. Last week my 3-year-old was diagnosed for elevated lead levels in her blood. I performed a lead-check test on our old, pitted and coarse, claw-tool tub, and sure enough there is definitely lead present at the surface of the tub. Question is: what kind of refinishing/reglazing options do I have have which will safely encapsulate the lead, and give me a nice durable finish? Seems like there are several spray-on/brush-on products, but is there another level of refinishing quality above that? TAI! |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
wrote in message oups.com... Hullo, We have recently (2 months ago) moved into a 100-year-old house. Last week my 3-year-old was diagnosed for elevated lead levels in her blood. I performed a lead-check test on our old, pitted and coarse, claw-tool tub, and sure enough there is definitely lead present at the surface of the tub. Question is: what kind of refinishing/reglazing options do I have have which will safely encapsulate the lead, and give me a nice durable finish? Seems like there are several spray-on/brush-on products, but is there another level of refinishing quality above that? TAI! lead pipes? unless she's licking the tub, there isn't much, if any, lead absorbed through the skin from bath water. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Not to mention lead paint.. almost certainly a problem in a 100 year old
house. I agree with the other guy who said look for other causes, and also am surprised that the child would exhibit signs of elevated lead levels in as little as two months from household causes. Also, following Washington DC's national debacle about the lead in the public water supply, many other municipalities seem to suddenly be noticing (or stop concealing) the high lead levels found in many parts of their water systems. Where did you live before? This could be a result of drinking water from your former and/or current residence. Definitely test your tap water. Lead in water can even be a problem even if you drink Evain most of the time, if you cook with the tap water (e.g. rice, pasta, soup, anything that may absorb or use tap water). "Charles Spitzer" wrote in message ... lead pipes? unless she's licking the tub, there isn't much, if any, lead absorbed through the skin from bath water. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 14:57:37 -0400, "J T" scribbled
this interesting note: Not to mention lead paint.. almost certainly a problem in a 100 year old house. I agree with the other guy who said look for other causes, and also am surprised that the child would exhibit signs of elevated lead levels in as little as two months from household causes. Also, following Washington DC's national debacle about the lead in the public water supply, many other municipalities seem to suddenly be noticing (or stop concealing) the high lead levels found in many parts of their water systems. Where did you live before? This could be a result of drinking water from your former and/or current residence. Definitely test your tap water. Lead in water can even be a problem even if you drink Evain most of the time, if you cook with the tap water (e.g. rice, pasta, soup, anything that may absorb or use tap water). Hence the possible need for a whole house water filter... -- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me) |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Speedy Jim wrote:
She drinks from the tub?? Sorry. It's just that there must be more severe contaminant sources than the tub. The more likely vector would be touching the tub, then putting her hand in her mouth. So far, with the quick tests I've done so far, the tub is the only obvious source of lead. Water tests are pending, as are dust tests, etc. Second, would medical authorities expect elevated lead levels to have occurred in only 7 weeks?? I don't know; I'm asking a serious question. The lab tech who called with results didn't know this, nor have I found other information about the uptake time constant. The tech's suggested retest time interval is 3-6 months, which suggests a longer time constant, but then, I've learned to independently verify everything I'm told by medical people. The child's lead levels at the old residence were always below the concern threshold. [snip] You can get the tub sprayed with epoxy-like finsihes which are "fairly" durable if you take good care of them; thy're not as tough as porcelain finish though. How about a brand new tub with no lead? If it can be done safely, we'd like to keep the tub - it is rather beautiful, and it would be hard to find an affordable replacement. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
John Willis wrote:
On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 14:57:37 -0400, "J T" scribbled this interesting note: Not to mention lead paint.. almost certainly a problem in a 100 year old house. I agree with the other guy who said look for other causes, and also am surprised that the child would exhibit signs of elevated lead levels in as little as two months from household causes. Also, following Washington DC's national debacle about the lead in the public water supply, many other municipalities seem to suddenly be noticing (or stop concealing) the high lead levels found in many parts of their water systems. Where did you live before? This could be a result of drinking water from your former and/or current residence. Definitely test your tap water. Lead in water can even be a problem even if you drink Evain most of the time, if you cook with the tap water (e.g. rice, pasta, soup, anything that may absorb or use tap water). Hence the possible need for a whole house water filter... What does something like that run? Certainly must be cheaper than replacing the water main. Of course if the water pressure is so low that a new main would be nice anyway.... |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Jo User wrote:
Speedy Jim wrote: SNIP You can get the tub sprayed with epoxy-like finsihes which are "fairly" durable if you take good care of them; thy're not as tough as porcelain finish though. How about a brand new tub with no lead? If it can be done safely, we'd like to keep the tub - it is rather beautiful, and it would be hard to find an affordable replacement. Do a GOOGLE for: bathtub + refinishing Loads of tech info and tips on not getting ripped off. Plan to have the family out of the house as the fumes are hazardous. Jim |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
" wrote: Hullo, We have recently (2 months ago) moved into a 100-year-old house. Last week my 3-year-old was diagnosed for elevated lead levels in her blood. I performed a lead-check test on our old, pitted and coarse, claw-tool tub, and sure enough there is definitely lead present at the surface of the tub. Question is: what kind of refinishing/reglazing options do I have have which will safely encapsulate the lead, and give me a nice durable finish? Seems like there are several spray-on/brush-on products, but is there another level of refinishing quality above that? TAI! I think you are jumping to conclusions. Some groups of people are subject to pica (eating dirt), is your child one? The reason I ask, is that it is extremely unlike that the child got leaded by having baths. Here are the possibilities that you need to consider for the source of the lead in decreasing order of likelyhood: 1. previously dwelling, 2. paint chips that the child eats, 3. cookware, especially crockery, 4. household plumbing, 5. domestic water source (well, municipal, private). You should immediately monitor the food and everything that the child put in his/her mouth and provide a good driking source such as a britta or other filter water. Lastly, why would you test your child for lead? and was this done at a regular doctors office? I agree with another responder that it is highly unlikely that the child has had a singificant increase in lead levels in two months. You need to question the doctors and get test done by a different lab. As for the tub, any good paint will encapsulate the lead. You could paint it with a high quality water based enamel, an oil based enamel or whatever but it might not last for more than an year before starting to flake off. You need a good two part epoxy paint for it to last a long time. Good luck. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Jo User wrote: John Willis wrote: On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 14:57:37 -0400, "J T" scribbled this interesting note: Not to mention lead paint.. almost certainly a problem in a 100 year old house. I agree with the other guy who said look for other causes, and also am surprised that the child would exhibit signs of elevated lead levels in as little as two months from household causes. Also, following Washington DC's national debacle about the lead in the public water supply, many other municipalities seem to suddenly be noticing (or stop concealing) the high lead levels found in many parts of their water systems. Where did you live before? This could be a result of drinking water from your former and/or current residence. Definitely test your tap water. Lead in water can even be a problem even if you drink Evain most of the time, if you cook with the tap water (e.g. rice, pasta, soup, anything that may absorb or use tap water). Hence the possible need for a whole house water filter... What does something like that run? Certainly must be cheaper than replacing the water main. Of course if the water pressure is so low that a new main would be nice anyway.... You don't need a whole house filter, all you need to do is filter drinking water and the water that is used to prepare foods. Simple systems are available with a 2-3 quart container that holds a filter for about $25. Extra filters are about $5 a piece and last the average 3-4 person household 2-3months. I still wonder, what reason you have to ever test your child for lead? |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
I was under the impression that inhaled lead (paint dust from sanding) is
absorbed at about 90% efficiency whereas ingested lead is WAY less effective. A few weeks to get elevated levels seems pretty quick. I'd look for other sources of contamination & I'd get the blood tests redone. Seems like the bath tub (paint's on the outside? porcelein on the inside?) would not be the source....... keep us posted |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
"George E. Cawthon" wrote in message ...
I still wonder, what reason you have to ever test your child for lead? Among other criteria, anyone who lives in a house that might have lead paint should have young children tested. Lead paint was used on most houses, inside and out, until the 1950s, and it wasn't prohibited until the 1970s. See http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=3155&nbr=2381#s23 Anne |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
You might want to have your water checked as well. The lead on the tub
surface could be contributed to by lead in the water. My wife and I just moved into a 100 year old house also, and there are lots of other places where lead can be lurking. Paint is the most common one. Old mini-blinds can deteriorate in uv light and release lead dust. Soil can be contaminated from deteriorating house paint, or from old gas. So, you might want to have a lead risk assessment done. (You'll find out all the problem areas and what can be done about it) http://www.epa.gov/lead/ |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
You don't need a whole house filter as previously noted.. but I'd recommend
something more convenient than a brita for cooking. Our fridge has a built-in filter, as do most fridges with TTD ice, which is fine for my personal cooking use. It can take a long time to fill a big pot for pasta, though. If you have an older fridge with an automatic icemaker or water dispenser, get an inline filter from HD for about 25 bucks that you can install on the copper icemaker feed with very little effort. In the $200 price range you can get an under-counter reverse-osmosis system that gives better flow (because it has a holding tank) and also provides the best filtration generally available for a consumer device. The inline charcoal filters are pretty good, but might choke on very high lead levels. In any event you should get your water tested and find out how big a problem you have. Kits are available at HD type places, or your water company may do one for free. If it's over 150 ppb, then a regular filter may not be enough. I would test before & after filter installation, and periodically thereafter if your lead levels were very high. "Jo User" wrote in message ... What does something like that run? Certainly must be cheaper than replacing the water main. Of course if the water pressure is so low that a new main would be nice anyway.... |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
"George E. Cawthon" wrote in message ...
I think you are jumping to conclusions. Some groups of people are subject to pica (eating dirt), is your child one? The reason I ask, No, not actually. The tub is one of several things which we are looking at, and, to-date, the ONLY one with obvious lead present and accessible. Therefore, I will address it while I pursue, in parallel, other avenues. is that it is extremely unlike that the child got leaded by having baths. Here are the possibilities that you need to consider for the Having baths wouldn't be the problem. But touching the bathrub, and then putting hands in mouth would be. In any case, even if the tub isn't the primary source of lead, it is A tested source of lead, so I'm fixing it. source of the lead in decreasing order of likelyhood: 1. previously dwelling, 2. paint chips that the child eats, 3. cookware, especially crockery, 4. household plumbing, 5. domestic water source (well, municipal, private). You should immediately monitor the food and everything that the child put in his/her mouth and provide a good driking source such as a britta or other filter water. Yes, we are doing all these things, too. 3,4 are probably not the problem. Test for 5 is pending. 1 is less likely, since previous tests while living at the old residence were negative. 2 is harder to evaluate. Lastly, why would you test your child for lead? and was this done at a regular doctors office? It is actually a very standard test done by the doctor, and is mandated by law in some localities, especially where the housing stock is older. I agree with another responder that it is highly unlikely that the child has had a singificant increase in lead levels in two months. You need to question the doctors and get test done by a different lab. Again, I'm definitely not being confrontational, but what do you base this assertion on? Do you know what the uptake or elimination time is for lead? I infer that it is near 3 months, based on the recommended retesting interval for affected children. So, there will likely be an observable effect after 2 months, and in fact, the levels will possibly go up before they go down again, even if all lead sources are removed now. In any case, retests are scheduled, as are tests of the other kids. As for the tub, any good paint will encapsulate the lead. You could paint it with a high quality water based enamel, an oil based enamel or whatever but it might not last for more than an year before starting to flake off. You need a good two part epoxy paint for it to last a long time. Good luck. OK, thanks. |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 03:32:43 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
scribbled this interesting note: You don't need a whole house filter, all you need to do is filter drinking water and the water that is used to prepare foods. Simple systems are available with a 2-3 quart container that holds a filter for about $25. Extra filters are about $5 a piece and last the average 3-4 person household 2-3months. I still wonder, what reason you have to ever test your child for lead? It is a fact that many substances are readily absorbed through the skin. A whole house filter also prolongs the life of the water heater as well as the life of all the rubber that water comes into contact with (inside the toilet, rubber washers in faucets, etc.) Now I don't know how lead is absorbed or if it is even a problem in the original poster's water supply, but I do know that a whole house filter will affect far more than just his wallet. I've been considering installing one in our home because I just don't trust the municipal water (and besides, it tastes bad in the summer due to algae bloom in the local lakes the water is drawn from!:~) -- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me) |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
|
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Lead-Loc and Gas pipes | UK diy | |||
Moisture Cure Urethane (Moisture Cured Urethane) | Woodworking |