I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. Contractors who handle bathtub refinishing or reglazing are well-versed in the health risks and OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Association) guidelines for risky jobs like these, making it an easy choice to bring in an expert for the task. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. (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.). if we do we get evicted. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. Thank you for your comment. I have read many articles but this is different one. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General, http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA, http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00, https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html, http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 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. The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. Moreover, because methylene chloride evaporates quickly (it has a high vapor pressure), vapors can collect in the bottom of a bathtub and in the workers breathing zone when working in the bathtub. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? 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. Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. I have never thought of this before! 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 went outside after he was finished. Bathtub Refinishing | Benefits & Considerations in 2023 | REthority As a result, most tenants moved. Even if you hire a professional to reglaze or refinish your bathtub, you and your family or other residents should leave the property during the entire process, including while the epoxy coat cures after application. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride (paint stripper) directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? Thank you for this post. 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. 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. Ive read some incredible information in this article. 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. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. 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. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. No warning that fumes would make me sick. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. 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. Myths About Bathtub Refinishing | Specialized Refinishing Co. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. Tub Cast Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit - Made In The USA - Odorless This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. 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. Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. I didnt think too much about it. 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. 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. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Works on all types of surfaces. Gerda. (before we had kids). 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. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. 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. Finding a Miracle Method office. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. 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. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. Or should I leave? Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. A fresh air system is critical. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. print Print. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (read more about that here), and overall, is pleased with the results. Bathtub. So glad I read this. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. I would also like to issue one other caveat. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. Is the Bathtub Reglazing Odor Terrible? Learn About the Bathtub Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. Bathtub Refinishing Fumes - How To Protect Yourself - EzineArticles Changing ones business practices and methods can certainly be a daunting task and a big decision, but in the case of methylene chloride and bathtubs it is an important, potentially lifesaving one. Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. Our tub was just resurfaced today I was told six hours after they got done we could return to the apartment and stay the night just cant use the tub or take the tape off for 48 hours is that safe? Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. This is in Australia. Absolutely agree with this article. How Long Does It Take the Tub to Dry After Reglazing? Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. I manage a home related business in Australia and we are often exposed to applications that we are unsure of what dangers we could be exposed to. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. i come back again this blog, any way i think I didnt realize this was so deadly. And again, dont be afraid to ask. My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. 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). It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. 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? Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). We are sorry to hear about your health issues. When there is not a properly designed local exhaust ventilation system to remove vapors, the workers should have used full-face supplied-air respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. I recently had our tub sresurfaced as well as kitchen counters done, and the smell was so strong I dont know how these guys can do this every day. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products.I think this type of finish should be banned.This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. 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. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. We slept inside the apartment after the workers did the bathtub glazing, should we go to the clinic to make sure we are fine? 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. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. keep blogging~! a great article! Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. After an hour again, I decided to take a ride to feel fresh air. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. But if we ever have it done again, I will definitely check to be sure its a safe process for the workers AND the homeowners. Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. Ms. Scott thank you for your interest in our blog Dangers of Bathtub Refinishing and your question regarding how to assess exposure to toxic vapors. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. Don't Replace, Renew | Surface Renew Resurfacing with "Noxious Fumes" - Apartment Ideas - Multifamily Insiders Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. If methylene chloride is used, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated during the entire refinishing process. Thank you for sharing this useful information. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. 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 such a helpful information. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. Another interest in re-glazing is being fueled by informed masses who have shown a continued interest in "greening" their homes, particularly in making them more . 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. Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! 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. How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? 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. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. Thanks for sharing. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. 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. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? 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. She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. It has one small rust stain and is still moderately shiny. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. Thanks for telling us now. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. 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-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. She enjoyed improving discarded furniture, then selling it it was like art to her. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. 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. Based on this information, I think I can live with a less-than-perfect finish until we are able to get the tub professionally refinished. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. 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. 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/. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. 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. They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. i like it. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys Thank you for your comment. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. Does anyone know if I should be worried? [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. Thank you for the great information. When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? Keep up the good work! 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/ ). Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. I already have cancer, my throat was raw and I had a headache. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. I think this should not be happening after 4 weeks but dont know what to do about it. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. MC is not flammable on its own. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. 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! Ventilate Your Work Area. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Thank you so much! The Environmental Protection Agency provides general information and resources on indoor air quality in apartments, see https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky It smelled awful for days. very good and helpful post thanks to author. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). 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. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. Not sure if it can come through the walls. 9 Easy Steps to Refinish Your Bathtub | Lowe's The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern.
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