Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). 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. I dont think I had the right mask on. Thanks for your comment. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. That is pretty serious stuff. I am older with heart disease and lung disease. An apartment maintenance man entered the apartment to look for the man and found him behind the closed bathroom door, unresponsive, and slumped over the tub. Hello HOPING THE SAME FINEST OPERATE IN THE UP COMING DAYS ALSO. 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/. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. There may also be substitute stripping products or methods however, please be aware that substitute stripping products may include other harmful chemicals or hazards, so use substitutes safely. If youve got an old bathtub(or bathroom) and youre investigating your options for giving it an upgrade, youve likely come across the term reglazingalso known as refinishing or recoating, which can revive a tiredtub or evenold bathroom tile. I think this type of finish should be banned. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? Your email address will not be published. She her nextwalked over to-door neighbor's apartment, where a team weari ng respirators was refinishi ng the bathroom with a spray-on resurfacing material and a chemical accelerator. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. 22 oz. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any share Share. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. i come back again this blog, any way i think However, during the refinishing process, it is not possible for us to guess what the airborne concentration of methylene chloride may be in your home without knowing how the workers will be using methylene chloride and how they plan to ventilate the work area and the house. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. Dear Mr. Ronald M. Hall, you probably save my life with this article! God bless you! Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. 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. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? Thanks for your comment. We slept inside the apartment after the workers did the bathtub glazing, should we go to the clinic to make sure we are fine? Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. That is a shocking statistic, At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. Is that legal? The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. Thanks. All the tips in the post are great. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. 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. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. We are inconsolable. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. Thanks for the great post. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? 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. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. How do I know if this is toxic? Is that smell dangerous for children? I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). 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. Thanks if you reply. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. if we do we get evicted. 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. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. 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! It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. 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. 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 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. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ron, 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 . I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. 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. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. But two days later it still bothers me. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. (before we had kids). What is the LEAST TOXIC alternative for bathtub reglazing? Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. Capital region housing in edmonton is the worst. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. 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. Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. THANK YOU! keep blogging~! Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. If methylene chloride was used to strip the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing (the focus of our blog), it is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. (Removing a tub and installing a new one can cost thousands, and if youre in an apartment building, it might even require getting your downstairs neighbor involved as it may impact plumbing beyond your apartment. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. 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 learned some incredible information in this report. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. *Note that there are reports that a fresh air system is . Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. There are bathtub refinishing companies out there, [company name removed] are using safe processes for refinishing your bathtub, you just have to ask the tough questions. The home I purchased a few years ago came with cast iron bathtub and ceramic tile walls that had been covered with a 2-step epoxy finish. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. I asked the doctors if they collect lifestyle information and report it to the government so correlations can be made about cause and effect they said no. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. 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. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. 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. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. 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. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. 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. Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. Bathtub. When selecting a PID care must be taken to make sure that the instrument is equipped with a lamp that has the ionization potential necessary to detect methylene chloride (11.7 eV lamp). 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. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Always wear hand and eye protection. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. 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. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. 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. We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. Hi, this is all so helpful. We understand the importance of protecting ourselves, the environment and most importantly our customers. It was heart breaking. 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. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. Avoid or minimize spraying methylene chloride. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. 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. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Need professional help with your project? Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. I didnt think too much about it. 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. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. Thanks for this information. Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. /box. Is it safe to stay???? 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. What is this stuff? Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. We do have pets and have young kids. 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. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. But I keep on hitting dead ends. Agree with your perspective. 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)). My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? Stay safe! Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. So we need extra care. She refinished furniture in our garage. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. The fact of the matter is that using a professional that is trained and well-versed in the safety measures of bathtub refinishing; is critical, and can not only protect the owners of the property, but those performing the job! 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 regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. 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. I didnt realize this was so deadly. Pre-leasing now launched at 595 Dean St., the newest rental development in Brooklyn's vibrant Prospect Heights, The roommate dilemma: It's much more expensive to rent an apartment in NYC all by yourself now. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. Bathtub refinishing fumes are most certainly dangerous during the application process and immediate curing process. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. We do not have any information about the paint chips that are peeling off of your refinished bathtub. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. These are classified as potential human carcinogens according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and protective gear should be worn when working with them. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. Thanks for sharing. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. We need to care when the baths are refinished. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. 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. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? 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). Or should I leave? There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. 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. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. If it is an occupied apartment, they have to sign a waiver that they will be gone the required amount of time. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. 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. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. If the job is not done right it starts to peel, he says. We tried to open our window a bit. 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. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. The tub needs to go. Thanks for your comment. That is really great to know. You should always wear protective clothing and use the appropriate safety-rated equipment whenever you are doing any household repair or remodeling work, and reglazing a bathtub is no exception. I think regulators should be aware of these dangers. 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. Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. Bathtubs should be refinished every seven to 10 years, or more frequently if there is significant damage, stained, or you (or your homes previous owners) havent been cleaning your bathtub the right way. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. We sure take a lot things for granted. Very interesting. Thanks for your comment. Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. $ 89 00. 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. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. Melissa. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. 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.
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