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. Whether your tub is refinished or reglazed depends on whether or not the old coating was removed before putting a new layer of epoxy or another coating. 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. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. Great information. Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. 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. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. You can review and change the way we collect information below. 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. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. I would like to know. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. The concentration of the exposure is important too. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. It took me a little bit to get used to, and while it doesn't look super cool, it's clean and an upgrade from the '90s pink tile for sure.. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? I stayed home all day, working around the house because there were two workers and didnt want to leave strangers in my home. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. It was heart breaking. 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. We can ask questions and be well-informed. Always wear hand and eye protection. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. Thank you for your comment. I have 2 small kids and an infant. Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. Do fumes from reglazing a bathtub/shower make an apartment I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. Bathtub Reglazing Los Angeles CA | Fiberglass Porcelain Refinishing Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? 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. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. 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. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? 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. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? CDC twenty four seven. 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. He was found unconscious minutes later and was rushed to the emergency room, several neuro tests where done and they all concluded the same thing.. Kevin had been brain dead before he was found on the job. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. So we need extra care. 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 . 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. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. Thank you. I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. 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. Bathtub Reglazing Experts. If you are considering refinishing your bathtub or shower, click on Find a Location or call our toll free locator number, 1-888-271-7690 . I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. As my two other friends and I stood there over our lost brother, we could not help but cry, tell stories of our past together, and wish that he could hear us one last time. keep blogging~! (273) Questions & Answers (148) +3. Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. I usually like to do things myself, but I think I will have to find someone to do my bathtub repair in concord ma. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. 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. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. Works on all types of surfaces. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. Absolutely agree with this article. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. Thank you for your comment. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. I am Gary Goel owner of the Professional Bathtub Refinishers Association. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. Is that dangerous as well? Its highly toxic Teri. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. Hover Image to Zoom. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. Thanks! 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? We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. Why can strippers with this ingredient be sold to consumers in U.S. hardware stores that do _not_ sell the full-face air supplied respirators that should be worn while using it? Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. Pacific Reglazing provides high quality, affordable kitchen and bathroom repair and refinishing services throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, the San Fernando Valley, Ventura, Orange County and Riverside County. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. 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. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. Myths About Bathtub Refinishing | Specialized Refinishing Co. Myown life was almost cut short stripping a bathtub and I was using the best Equipment money can buy but machinery or equipment can fail. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. 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. In February 2012, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to refinish a bathtub was found dead, slumped over a bathtub in an unventilated bathroom. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. 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. Bathtub Reglazing Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself - TopKote The past three days have been the hardest in my entire life. http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. i come back again this blog, any way i think ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. I did two tubs in old houses yesterday. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. 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. You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. However, products are more dangerous when they are sweet smelling, and as your article states your are already exposed once you smell it. (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 have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. I think this should not be happening after 4 weeks but dont know what to do about it. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. 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. 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. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? Bathtub refinishing is being used more by hotels, apartment complexes and homeowners because of a housing downturn, a mortgage-meltdown, and overall depressed and depressing economy as a way to save money in their bathroom renovation. A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. Apartments | Specialized Refinishing Co. if we do we get evicted. 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. 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)). It smelled awful for days. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. 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. Need professional help with your project? Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. Thanks! I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. I have learned some incredible information in this report. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! 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). 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. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Wow! Extraction during the process is everything. 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? My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. Thanks! information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any I have tried a couple of my wifes lotions to easy the burning, which has only made it worse.. any suggestion on what to take the stinging away.. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. 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 . How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? I went outside after he was finished. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. 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. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? Read more about our comment policy . tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. 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. Our beloved pet went into respiratory failure the next day, was rushed to the ER and spent three nights in the veterinarian ICU. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. Gerda. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. 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. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. The tub needs to go. They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. PDF Acute Lung Disease from Bathtub Refinishing - University of California And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. They know where people bathe. (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.). The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. (before we had kids). We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. 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 opened my windows, all four. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. Thank you for this post. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. THANK YOU! Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. We tried to open our window a bit. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. 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. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. Ventilate Your Work Area. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. Is that smell dangerous for children? My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. 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. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. I regret it so much! This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix.
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