Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. (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. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. Thank you for your comment. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. Sometimes, you may need to refinish your bathtub which requires chemical coating with special kind of brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). 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. This is in Australia. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. Thanks. If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. Or should I leave? 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. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. a great article! NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. 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. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. There is apparently limited research on this issue, but there are case studies of some children getting lead poisoning from bathing in an old bathtub that was leaching lead. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. Why is this not part of a home inspection, when you move into a house, built in 1950? The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. Thanks! 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. Thank you for sharing this useful information. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. The Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) program at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has profiled two businesses that successfully strip bathtubs without MC. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. 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. We tried to open our window a bit. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. I have been in hat business for 20 years. A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. 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. Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. 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. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Do fumes from reglazing a bathtub/shower make an apartment I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. I just rented a house. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? good cotent, i like it. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. This may sound extreme, but I assure you, neglect to safety is not worth the life of a co worker, family member, or in my case a best friend. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. OSHAs Methylene Chloride standard (29 CFR 1910.1052) requires employers to test the air to determine the concentration of methylene chloride present in the air when a product containing methylene chloride is used (29 CFR 1910.1052(d)). Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Thanks! The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. I would like to know. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. 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. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride All comments posted become a part of the public domain, and users are responsible for their comments. 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. Thats perhaps the number one reason trying to DIY it is not advisable (kits are available, but just leave it to the professionals). HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? Understanding the Fumes Associated with Bathtub Refinishing /box. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. 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. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. 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. Bathtub Reglazing Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself - TopKote Hover Image to Zoom. if we do we get evicted. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. 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. 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 . Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. We can ask questions and be well-informed. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS Very interesting. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). 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. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. We have for years been trying to come up with a Stripper that will remove Epoxy DIY kits that do not have the Methylene Chloride but time is an issue. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. Bathtub Refinishing | Benefits & Considerations in 2023 | REthority If youve got an old bathtub(or bathroom) and youre investigating your options for giving it an upgrade, youve likely come across the term reglazingalso known as refinishing or recoating, which can revive a tiredtub or evenold bathroom tile. Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. How do I know if this is toxic? Thank you so much! I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. 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.. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. 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. 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. Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. keep blogging~! Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky I just bought this old house that has this beautiful tub if only it can get restored back to new. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. 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. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. HOPING THE SAME FINEST OPERATE IN THE UP COMING DAYS ALSO. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will. I regret it so much! However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. 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. If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? 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? PDF Acute Lung Disease from Bathtub Refinishing - University of California We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. I was researching because i just had a bad experience. Its highly toxic Teri. I have 15 years experience with bathtub refinishing and stripping. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. If proper ventilation is not possible, there needs to be a supervisor on watch in the room, or at least directly outside the door, ready to open immediately if the worker inside does not verbally respond to continuous 30 second verbal safety checks. 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 have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General It was heart breaking. Should you refinish, reglaze or replace your bathtub? - Today Bathtub. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. This is poor. I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. 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. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. Your new bathroom's finish won't have any . I sure wish homeowners not use those diy Kits. 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. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. I stripped the lead paint off the outside of an old cast iron tub using a low-VOC paint stripper suitable for lead paint, and then primed and painted the exterior. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I asked the doctors if they collect lifestyle information and report it to the government so correlations can be made about cause and effect they said no. Ventilate Your Work Area. Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? very good and helpful post thanks to author. While bathtub refinishing is one I havent tried, I do know that in-home work with many types of cleaners, paints and strippers and adhesives is always going to be a concern due to poor air circulation indoors, and sometimes outdoors too. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Thanks for your comment. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. "[The problem area] now takes up about a third of the bottom of the tub, because every time the water runs, more comes off," she says. Thanks so much for the info! Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. 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? This post was helpful to me too. Stay safe! Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. Most professionals use alternative methods when possible. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. Thank you for the great information. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. The concentration of the exposure is important too. 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. A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. OSHA has regulations that sets a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 parts per million (ppm) as a time-weighted average (TWA) exposure over an 8-hour work shift.
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