Cristine. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! 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. This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. 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 most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Thanks for telling us now. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. 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. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. 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. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! I cannot replace the tub without it being a major, expensive remodel. 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. 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. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. Even if you hire a professional, let the area air out and keep it ventilated after the work is complete until you can no longer detect any unusual or chemical odors. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. Your new bathroom's finish won't have any . This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. 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. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. good cotent, i like it. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. Methyl chloride has high vapor pressure, meaning that it evaporates extremely quickly and turns into gas that can easily be inhaled, especially in a small bathroom that may not be adequately ventilated. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. 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. 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. Bathtub Reglazing Experts. (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.). I have used this product recently on a tub used all the proper PPE and approved NIOSH mask and jump suit and I have tasted this awful taste in my mouth for a couple of days its been 2 weeks and I still kinda feel it in my chest. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. I just rented a house. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. 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. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Adults? At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. They were wearing some gas mask type stuff while they were doing it, but I have noticed even after spraying the fumes were strong; and I was outside when they did this. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. Patrick. Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. 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? The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. I think they want things swept under the carpet. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. 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. If your bathtub is on the older side, then youll need to determine whether its worthwhile to refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Thank you. Quite naive of me. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Or should I leave? Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. When engineering and work practice controls cannot decrease methylene chloride levels below OSHAs PELs (25 ppm over an 8-hour TWA or 125 ppm over a 15-minute period), employers must provide their workers with full-face atmosphere-supplying respirators. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. If your bathroom has a window, set a fan near it pointing outwards; this will help move air and dissipate the fumes. We sure take a lot things for granted. Long-term exposure may cause cancer in humans. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. The story notes also that worker protections are weak a shop in Chattanooga TN with numerous OSHA violations got fined only $1500 for the death of a teenage employee in 1999, and 7 years later, still had not implemented required safety measures. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. Dear Mr. Ronald M. Hall, you probably save my life with this article! I cant tell you how many times Ive told others in the field that are doing this to make sure they have more ventilation and to remove or re-coat the tube out of the bathroom and to at least not to do it without the proper breathing apparatus. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. Hello I didnt realize this was so deadly. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. I have been in hat business for 20 years. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? This is in Australia. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. Note that humidity affects both dry time and how well the topcoat bonds to the surface, so the cool, less-humid seasons of fall or spring providethe best conditions for this type of work. I am unknown form this . 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. sprayed with materials that emit fumes which may be hazardous to the tenant's health if inhaled in the working concentration within the first 4-6 hours after completion of the job. I think regulators should be aware of these dangers. His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. In Europe, the use of paint strippers containing more than 0.1 % methylene chloride is allowed only in industrial installations with adequate controls to reduce exposure. Always wear hand and eye protection. Its highly toxic Teri. Bare minimum, the ventilation should meet some requirements, and homeowners should HAVE to LEAVE THE HOUSE for 3 days. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. Absolutely agree with this article. This is a great article. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. It gives me hope to see that some commenters are specialists who are trying to recreate safer and more effective processes that will phase out use of this agent. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. If the job is not done right it starts to peel, he says. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. Very good info. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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/. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. keep blogging~! Kimberly Evans. 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. My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. I found out the hard way. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. and it was very helpful for people, In addition to the hazards of strippers, old porcelain bathtubs, sinks and tiles manufactured before the mid-1990s could also have lead in the glaze, which could leach into bathwater, or if sanded or scraped could form a dust that if ingested by young children (who touch it with bare skin) could cause lead poisoning. 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. Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. 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. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. Karma: 3. He also had a small fan in the bathroom window to remove the fumes, as well as towels on the floor to prevent odors from coming into the living area. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. (before we had kids). We do not tread lightly, so I think we are a good example to work off of in terms of durability., Of the overall aesthetic, particularly the walls, she says: If you look closely, it's a little weird as you see the indent of the grout lines, but it's all one texture. 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. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). 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. I think this type of finish should be banned. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. I just bought this old house that has this beautiful tub if only it can get restored back to new. 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. discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. 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. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . 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. I think this type of finish should be banned. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? 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. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. Its staff and technicians from any and . I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. 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. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? 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. I regret it so much! HOPING THE SAME FINEST OPERATE IN THE UP COMING DAYS ALSO. It is now peeling off. She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. 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). There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Thanks for your comment. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. This post was helpful to me too. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. 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. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? 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. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers Thank you for sharing this useful information. If the chemical you are using is marked as flammable then you can be sure that it is not 100% MC. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. 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. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. 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. I went outside after he was finished. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. Thanks for your comment. Our beloved pet went into respiratory failure the next day, was rushed to the ER and spent three nights in the veterinarian ICU. Is that dangerous as well? I would like to know. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). 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. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? 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. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. 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. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. Use a qualified occupational safety and health specialist to assist in the design and installation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to effectively control vapors to below applicable PELs. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? However, products are more dangerous when they are sweet smelling, and as your article states your are already exposed once you smell it. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. Because this process, which involves spraying a new topcoat on your existing tub and/or tile, is significantly cheaper, easier, cleaner, and less time-consuming than actually replacing a tub. Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. The odor and fumes were suffocating. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. Never stay where resurfacing is being done. As exposure increases so do the health effects, with a potential for suffocation, loss of consciousness, coma, and sudden death. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. a great article! Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. 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. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. Stay safe! Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. When I smell the tiles I can not smell anything but with my nose close to the bathtub I can smell a sweetish sour chemical smell. 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. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. Employers must ensure that workers are not exposed to levels above OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs) of 25 parts per million (ppm) over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and 125 ppm over any 15-minute period (short-term exposure limit or STEL) (29 CFR 1910.1052(c)). Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. 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. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. The fumes were in her room not mine, i didnt know until i opened the door, we had put on the fan origionally for the smell, fumes came full blown after. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. If you are referring to paint strippers (which is what methylene Chloride is used for) one consideration would be using alternative methods, such as sanding. The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. As a result, most tenants moved. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg.

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