Quite naive of me. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. 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 live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. very good and helpful post thanks to author. 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. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. Im not familiar with the Australian occupational health and safety system but you might want to start with Safe Work Australia http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA . Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. 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. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. You can review and change the way we collect information below. My question is about whether it leaches during use. It has one small rust stain and is still moderately shiny. Hello. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. I have stripped hundreds of tubs. 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. 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 have been in hat business for 20 years. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. 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. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. 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. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. 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 . 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. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. The past three days have been the hardest in my entire life. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. 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. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. 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. 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. 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. 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. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. For example, if you have a beautiful clawfoot tub made from heavy cast iron, refinishing is absolutely the way to go. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. It is now peeling off. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. As exposure increases so do the health effects, with a potential for suffocation, loss of consciousness, coma, and sudden death. Ive read some incredible information in this article. 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. 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. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. 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). Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. 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. Thank you for the great information. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. Hello Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. If the job is not done right it starts to peel, he says. 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. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. Thank you for sharing this useful information. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. Or will we be ok?? share Share. Also you should understand between difference between Refinishing (without removing the old layer first) and Reglazing (stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub) a Bathtub. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. 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 . IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Thanks for your comment. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. I never post anything anywhere. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. However no one is to blame, and no one is at fault. If your bathroom has a window, set a fan near it pointing outwards; this will help move air and dissipate the fumes. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. We tried to open our window a bit. That is pretty serious stuff. 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. I dont think I had the right mask on. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. 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. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. 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.. I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. i like it. 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! All the tips in the post are great. Liners can leak and create mold problems. 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. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Thanks for your comment. Thank you so much! 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. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. Rents an apartment with ventilation that mixes with neighbors and brings odors from adjacent apartments, Was subjected to highly toxic fumes from maintenance being performed on a neighboring apartment Suffered from effects of those fumes, and nearly succumbing to them I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. 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. 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. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. 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. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. The specific effects of methylene chloride exposure will vary depending on several factors, such as the amount of methylene chloride the worker is exposed to, how long the exposure lasts, and whether the worker has a higher susceptibility (for example, having a preexisting heart condition). My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. I found out the hard way. Gerda. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. Please respond quickly. *By signing up you agree to receive occasional emails on behalf of our sponsors, Copyright 2009-2022 by BrickUnderground | PrivacyPolicy | TermsofService | AdChoices | Login, National Association of Real Estate Editors. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. 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. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. 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. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). Is it dangerous to any or all of us? 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. I am Gary Goel owner of the Professional Bathtub Refinishers Association. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? 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. Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. 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. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. After an hour again, I decided to take a ride to feel fresh air. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. 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. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. Kimberly Evans. 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. /box. Publication number 81-8c-2013. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. And again, dont be afraid to ask. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. I think our tub would look so much nicer if we had it refinished. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. 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. I think this type of finish should be banned. Now its already peeling. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. 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. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. I would really like some reassurance. (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.). Is that dangerous as well? For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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. 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. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! You get enough toxic chemicals in your daily life without adding additional products that harm you by breathing its toxic fumes or being absorbed into your skin. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. I think people always take safety for too lightly. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Bathtub refinishing fumes are most certainly dangerous during the application process and immediate curing process. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Although we cant say there is any particular hazard from these paint chips, it would be prudent to prevent your toddler from eating the paint chips or bathing the toddler in water with material that is degrading from the tub into the water. Thanks! Open the bathroom door and as many . Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. Pros will have the correct gear, knowledge of how to ventilate the space and protect themselves, and familiarity with the various chemicals used so you dont need to worry about keeping yourself safe. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. $ 89 00. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. But I keep on hitting dead ends. 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. The first one was a very long process because there was no air circulation what so ever si the two part paint kit kept separating from one another which kept me in the room with only my Tshirt pulled over my nose. 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. Even if they come in a spray can unless you really know how to spray a cross hatch overlap pattern then you will have dry edges. thank you so much. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. 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. 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. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). Great article. Always wear hand and eye protection. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! Cristine. I just rented a house. Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. I myself am in the process of creating a technique that will eliminate the need for methylene chloride. I have 15 years experience with bathtub refinishing and stripping. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. Personally the bathtub reglazing odor resembles the aroma of a room after it has been painted and therefore the fragrance will keep within the facility for up to 2 days, this is not body odor we are . So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. Consult the OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert for specific information regarding engineering controls, exposure levels and air monitoring, personal protective equipment, worker training and medical surveillance. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Thank you! If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards.
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