Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. Hover Image to Zoom. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. 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. Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. The fumes from stripping a tub of its previous coating(s) can contain methylene chloride, a colorless liquid that smells similar to chloroform and emits VOCs, aka volatile organic compounds. If you are referring to paint strippers (which is what methylene Chloride is used for) one consideration would be using alternative methods, such as sanding. The 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. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. We do not tread lightly, so I think we are a good example to work off of in terms of durability., Of the overall aesthetic, particularly the walls, she says: If you look closely, it's a little weird as you see the indent of the grout lines, but it's all one texture. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. Great information. After an hour again, I decided to take a ride to feel fresh air. 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. A 2015 report by the Center for Public Integrity on U.S. deaths connected to methylene chloride noted that researchers have argued for 30 years that regulation of methylene chloride in the U.S. isnt strong enough to protect workers and that warnings on labels for consumers are insufficient. "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. This is a great article. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. Publication number 81-8c-2013. 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. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any Bathtub refinishing is very risky. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. 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. Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? I opted in for your Feed too. very good and helpful post thanks to author. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. She refinished furniture in our garage. Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. 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. There may also be substitute stripping products or methods however, please be aware that substitute stripping products may include other harmful chemicals or hazards, so use substitutes safely. You can review and change the way we collect information below. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. I have 2 small kids and an infant. Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! Thanks for your comment. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. Since methylene chloride is a volatile organic compound that will evaporate faster when sprayed, brushed, or poured, the chemical vapors can quickly build up in small spaces. The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. We need to care when the baths are refinished. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. Hi, this is all so helpful. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. But two days later it still bothers me. 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 . Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors. I and my two other friends went to the hospital last night to say our goodbyes. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. It gives me hope to see that some commenters are specialists who are trying to recreate safer and more effective processes that will phase out use of this agent. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. In order to assess learn more about the products that are being used for the re-glazing, assess the air quality of your apartment, prevent exposure or remediate any hazards, seek assistance from the building owner or manager. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). We can ask questions and be well-informed. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. 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. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. It can and will save your life. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. I regret it so much! 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. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. Thank you. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. Not sure if it can come through the walls. Weve added a resource to try and educate those who are using these processes and offered a number of safer alternatives to using substances other than methylene chloride here: http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/. Kimberly Evans. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. 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. 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. Cristine. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. 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. 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. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). share Share. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. 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 . An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. I live in Newark housing and I have been there for 11 years and every 9 months they have to paint the tub and I have to stay in the house after they paint it and it keeps messing up can you tell me what should I do. The home I purchased a few years ago came with cast iron bathtub and ceramic tile walls that had been covered with a 2-step epoxy finish. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, Your article has truly peaked my interest. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. However, you need to keep these essential health and safety considerations in mind whether you hire a contractor to refinish your tub or do it yourself. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. Thanks for your comment. Of course I wont be using it for a good week or so just to be safe, but I dont even use bleach or Flash to clean my tub because of the chemicals getting into the bathwater; even rinsing thoroughly. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. 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. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General Hello Im Derrick I used this last night now this morning Im sick as a dog headache stomachache am throwing up I didnt use a mask. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. I have learned some incredible information in this report. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! So we need extra care. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. Always wear hand and eye protection. 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. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. 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). Or should I leave? Karma: 3. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. 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. I had my tub reglazed recently. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. I would like to know. 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. 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. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. Thanks for sharing. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. I opened my windows, all four. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. To ensure their safety, the employees should have left the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. CDC twenty four seven. I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. We understand the importance of protecting ourselves, the environment and most importantly our customers. Jimmy White of Staten Island-based Custom Spraying and Reglazing, who has been doing it for more than 30 years and is considered the reglazer to the starsheworked on Faye Dunaway's and Candace Bergens bathroomssays it can be done in a few hours, plus 24 hours of dry time. Thanks! She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. 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 am Gary Goel owner of the Professional Bathtub Refinishers Association. Ive read some incredible information in this article. Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. 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. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Even if you hire a professional to reglaze or refinish your bathtub, you and your family or other residents should leave the property during the entire process, including while the epoxy coat cures after application. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. 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. Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. Is that dangerous as well? Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. Is that smell dangerous for children? He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. The nearby exterior door was open for ventilation and the overhead fan was blowing and although they had a pipe going from the bathroom down the hall and out the front door this was not sufficient. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. Thanks so much for the info! 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. i like it. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. Read more about our comment policy . Keep up the good work! 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 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. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. This post was helpful to me too. 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). We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. 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. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. It is now peeling off. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). 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. 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. Open the bathroom door and as many . 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. Based on this information, I think I can live with a less-than-perfect finish until we are able to get the tub professionally refinished. 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.
