Is it dangerous to any or all of us? I think this type of finish should be banned. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? Extraction during the process is everything. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. 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. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. I am unknown form this . Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Perhaps this us not the case. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. We are inconsolable. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. As a result, most tenants moved. My question is about whether it leaches during use. If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. Now Im cleaning up the interior; its not in terrible condition, but it has a few chips and the surface is not as smooth as Id like. There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. Now its already peeling. We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. 9 Easy Steps to Refinish Your Bathtub | Lowe's Refinishing a tub consists of applying a new chemical coating with a special brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub without removing the old layer first. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. Thank you for your comment. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. 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. Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? 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. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? 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. Traditional methods used for detecting methylene chloride involve air sampling pumps (calibrated at the desired air flow) and a sampling train with charcoal tubes as the collection media for methylene chloride. Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. Ron, If methylene chloride is used, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated during the entire refinishing process. 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. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. It smelled awful for days. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. 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. Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. Kimberly Evans. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. Your new bathroom's finish won't have any . We are sorry to hear about your health issues. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (, Moving to NYC after college? If they continue, you should consult your doctor. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. Your article has truly peaked my interest. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. 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. I think this type of finish should be banned. 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. Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. A fresh air system is critical. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. if we do we get evicted. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. Thank you. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. ARE THESE REGLAZED TUBS DANGEROUS AFTER THE PROCESS DRIES? They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General Bathtub Reglazing Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself - TopKote What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. I do home remodeling in Dallas, and many homeowners want to try to salvage some tubs, which is cost effective for some, but certainly a chemical risk for the workers and I would think the homeowners need to be made aware of this type of chemical being used in their home. 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The concentration of the exposure is important too. While NIOSH research and prevention efforts typically focus on workers, worker representatives and employers, the readers of this blog may be able to help us reach the do-it-yourself community who can face the same risks. Patrick. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. Thanks for your comment. Thanks for sharing. 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. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? We tried to open our window a bit. Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. 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 . Unless you have access to all the necessary protective clothing and equipment and are confident in your bathrooms ventilation system as well as your DIY capabilities, you should hire a professional to handle it. Is the Bathtub Reglazing Odor Terrible? Learn About the Bathtub Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Is it safe to stay???? Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. She refinished furniture in our garage. 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 certainly will be approaching this much differently. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. No warning that fumes would make me sick. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. This post was helpful to me too. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If your bathroom has a window, set a fan near it pointing outwards; this will help move air and dissipate the fumes. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Gerda. If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. I have 15 years experience with bathtub refinishing and stripping. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. 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. 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. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. 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. Stay safe! Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. Bathtub. Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. I would like to know. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! Thanks for this information. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. 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. Thats perhaps the number one reason trying to DIY it is not advisable (kits are available, but just leave it to the professionals). Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. Ventilate Your Work Area. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. 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 Refinishing | Benefits & Considerations in 2023 | REthority Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. Need professional help with your project? NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. 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? 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. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. I am older with heart disease and lung disease. When working with stripper or using solvents,acid,etcas well as applying your refinishing product.ALWAYS USE A FRESH-AIR SYSTEM..NOT MASKSmasks leak so they dont give the protection you need for long term exposure.I use a mask only when Im outside mixing or gathering my equipment when the job is finished and I should be using the fresh air system while I do that.Also cover your skinsome of these chemical will get into your body through your skin.Good LuckKeep yourself safe..DO YOUR RESEARCH. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. 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. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. Thorough prep and and cleaning can preventbig headaches down the road. 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. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. 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.. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. Thanks for sharing. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. Great information. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. Open the bathroom door and as many . 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. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. 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. What is this stuff? I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. 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. Simply not worth the risk. 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. discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. Is Bathtub Refinishing Safe? | Tub Reglazing Fumes & Safety - Angi 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. It is now peeling off. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. 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. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. 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). Finding a Miracle Method office. 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. 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. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will. 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). My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). 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 am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. Melissa. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Please respond quickly. I regret it so much! Concessions return to the NYC rental market as recession fears slow leasing activity, The pros and cons of buying a penthouse apartment, Racism and the lack of diversity in the appraisal business, Making sense of the NYC real estate market with Jonathan Miller, The Brick Underground Podcast: Predators in the NYC rental market, with Hannah Levintova from Mother Jones, The Brick Underground Podcast: Protecting against fire and floods in your NYC apartment, The Brick Underground Podcast: Finding a deal as NYC landlords pull concessions and raise rents, The Brick Underground Podcast: Trading your NYC apartment for a cheap(er) vacation. 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. 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.
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