Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. A fresh air system is critical. Patrick. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. I stayed home all day, working around the house because there were two workers and didnt want to leave strangers in my home. In order to assess learn more about the products that are being used for the re-glazing, assess the air quality of your apartment, prevent exposure or remediate any hazards, seek assistance from the building owner or manager. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Now what about substances that are used in bathtub refinishing as final top-coats such as Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane, or, another, as one company advertises: Porcelain Glaze-a new type of chemical finish. What is porcelain glaze? This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. There is an incredible amount of data I have learned some incredible information in this report. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . 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. Is that dangerous as well? I blog often and I really appreciate your content. I had my tub reglazed recently. Thanks for sharing. Its highly toxic Teri. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. Not sure if it can come through the walls. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. So glad I read this. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. 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. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? Ive spoken with many other tub resurfacing company owners and employees, and most of them do not use or even own full-face air-supplied respirators. This is a great article. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. 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. Thanks! My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. *By signing up you agree to receive occasional emails on behalf of our sponsors, Copyright 2009-2022 by BrickUnderground | PrivacyPolicy | TermsofService | AdChoices | Login, National Association of Real Estate Editors. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. It was a cold day, so I went back inside. 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. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? $ 89 00. I think this should not be happening after 4 weeks but dont know what to do about it. CDC twenty four seven. 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. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. That is really great to know. Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. 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 . It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. Long-term exposure may cause cancer in humans. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Step 2: Clean the Tub Thoroughly Step 3: Protect Areas Around the Tub Step 4: Remove the Glaze Step 5: Sand the Surface Step 6: Prep the Surface for Glaze Application If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. Provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and fresh makeup air to exhaust vapors released from the stripping agents in the bathtub. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. I do home remodeling in Dallas, and many homeowners want to try to salvage some tubs, which is cost effective for some, but certainly a chemical risk for the workers and I would think the homeowners need to be made aware of this type of chemical being used in their home. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. This article does a good job calling attention to the dangers of methylene chloride products and noting that many people dont know how dangerous it is. He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. Even if they come in a spray can unless you really know how to spray a cross hatch overlap pattern then you will have dry edges. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? 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. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. Thank you so much! ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! 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. Thanks for this information. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. I have been in hat business for 20 years. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. Vapors from this liquid can collect in the bottom of the tub and cause the person refinishing the tub to asphyxiate or even suffer from a heart attack because methyl chloride turns to carbon monoxide in the body, cutting off oxygen supply. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. I am all for saving money and dont wish to come off like I dont appreciate the effort but if your already saving $5000 why not let a pro do it. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. This may sound extreme, but I assure you, neglect to safety is not worth the life of a co worker, family member, or in my case a best friend. Thanks so much for the info! Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. I usually like to do things myself, but I think I will have to find someone to do my bathtub repair in concord ma. To ensure their safety, the employees should have left the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. Adults? Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. Very good info. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. It has one small rust stain and is still moderately shiny. It is now peeling off. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. Publication number 81-8c-2013. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. A 2015 report by the Center for Public Integrity on U.S. deaths connected to methylene chloride noted that researchers have argued for 30 years that regulation of methylene chloride in the U.S. isnt strong enough to protect workers and that warnings on labels for consumers are insufficient. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Posts: 19. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. I opened my windows, all four. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. 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/. Provided your surface was prepped correctly, you can expect your reglazed tub and/or tile to be good for about seven to 10 years, and the more you take care of it, the longer it will last. Thanks for your comment. Thanks for telling us now. Bathtub. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? Those DIY kits are not cutting it. I have so many friends that are a part of DIY pages that encourage individuals to attempt these kinds of projects on their own, unknowingly knowing some of the real dangers. 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. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. We are not familiar with the finishes you mention. 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. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. 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. After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. 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. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. You can review and change the way we collect information below. Read more about our comment policy . I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. I have 2 small kids and an infant. Works on all types of surfaces. Thanks if you reply. Its staff and technicians from any and . (Airoldi'scontractor brought a fan and blew air out the bathroom window, and she was home during the job, but didn't find the smell intolerable.). Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. So we need extra care. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. I was researching because i just had a bad experience. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Gerda. Whenever respirators are required to be worn, the employer must establish and implement a complete respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of OSHAs Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), including proper selection, usage, training and medical surveillance (OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, February 2013, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2013-110 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-110/ ). 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. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. If the cost of removing the old tub and installing a new one versus reglazing are similar or your tub is particularly old or damaged, it might be better to get a new one. very good and helpful post thanks to author. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. 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. I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. If those working with these finishes have concerns about their health they can request a Health Hazard Evaluation from NIOSH at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. That is pretty serious stuff. The concentration of the exposure is important too. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. In September 2011, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to strip the glaze from a bathtub collapsed in the bathtub and later died. However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. How to get your plans past the board, 3 NYC apartment bathroom renovation veterans on what they learned from the process, How to read a NYC co-op or condo buildings financial statement. Acid is then applied to deglaze the tub and/or tile, followed by a bonding agent or primer, and finally, a urethane topcoat is applied. With just a day or two of work, reglazing the centerpiece of your bathroom with a durable coating and color is an easy way to give your tub a quick facelift without breaking the bank. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys 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. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. 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. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. The nearby exterior door was open for ventilation and the overhead fan was blowing and although they had a pipe going from the bathroom down the hall and out the front door this was not sufficient. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. 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 . I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. 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. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. Unfortunately, manufacturers tend to play-down the immediate and especially long-term exposure risks from degassing (fumes) that occur perhaps over the next month or more. 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. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. Even a tiny bit? I understand the dangers of the application process, but what about the 2/3 days following the reglazing? Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. 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. I have never thought of this before! It can and will save your life. God bless you! Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. Thank you for sharing this useful information. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. 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? Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. I sure wish homeowners not use those diy Kits. I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! No warning that fumes would make me sick. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. i come back again this blog, any way i think I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. I went to clean out the tub to take another shower myself and by just barely cleaning it a whole bunch of paint came off, like over a foot and I was just barely scrubbing! He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. 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. I didnt realize this was so deadly. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. But two days later it still bothers me. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I think they want things swept under the carpet. I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. Wow! Quite naive of me. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. 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. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. Its worth looking into how long a company has been in business andits rating with the Better Business Bureau to get a sense of their track record before commissioning a job. Barely 3 days later I now have pluracy and bronchitis, i feel the building should be held responsible as we werent notified of the dangers.
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