Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Good to see so much effort going into bringing awareness to bathtub refinishing in Waltham. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. 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. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. 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. Im a Painting Contractor in Anchorage, Alaska and this is a really good post for me to see! My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. Not sure if it can come through the walls. 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 noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. 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. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. 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. I would really like some reassurance. keep blogging~! This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. Thank you! Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . Thanks so much for the info! My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. Avoid or minimize spraying methylene chloride. Thank you for sharing this useful information. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. I was doing some research on tub reglazing when I found this article. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. 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. But two days later it still bothers me. Ron, I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General, http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA, http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00, https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html, http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Great information. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? 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. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. 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. 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. Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. Winter renters lose leverage, questions for condo and co-op buyers, & more, The allure of tax abatements, a Chelsea affordable housing lottery, & more, Co-ops may have some 'splaining to do, renting a penthouse, & more. 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. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. I understand the dangers of the application process, but what about the 2/3 days following the reglazing? I dont think I had the right mask on. 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)). There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. 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. Simply not worth the risk. 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. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. thank you. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. I think this type of finish should be banned. 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.. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. 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. Finding a Miracle Method office. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. We are not familiar with the finishes you mention. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? i like it. Use full-face air-supplied respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. Very good info. Its staff and technicians from any and . It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. 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. 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. Publication number 81-8c-2013. (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.). This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. I and my two other friends went to the hospital last night to say our goodbyes. His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. I would like to know. I think people always take safety for too lightly. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. Extraction during the process is everything. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. Your new bathroom's finish won't have any . My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. We need to care when the baths are refinished. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. Always wear hand and eye protection. Gerda. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. I am all for saving money and dont wish to come off like I dont appreciate the effort but if your already saving $5000 why not let a pro do it. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. 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. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! Quite naive of me. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? More needs to be done to protect the workers!. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. 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. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. 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. 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. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. 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. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Even a tiny bit? We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? They know where people bathe. My question is about whether it leaches during use. Works on all types of surfaces. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. 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. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? 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. 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. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. Is it safe to stay???? My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. I would also like to issue one other caveat. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. Posts: 19. Bathtub Reglazing Experts. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. 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). How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? 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. Thank you for your comment. 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. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. A fresh air system is critical. Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. Dear Mr. Ronald M. Hall, you probably save my life with this article! How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? Capital region housing in edmonton is the worst. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? 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. I didnt think too much about it. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. 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 . NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. I have learned some incredible information in this report. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. I went outside after he was finished. Thanks for your comment. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. 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. a great article! I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. 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. Methyl chloride has high vapor pressure, meaning that it evaporates extremely quickly and turns into gas that can easily be inhaled, especially in a small bathroom that may not be adequately ventilated. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. Thank you for the great information. Bathtub. It was a cold day, so I went back inside. I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. Open the bathroom door and as many . I did two tubs in old houses yesterday. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. 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. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. It is now peeling off. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). I have read many articles but this is different one. I manage a home related business in Australia and we are often exposed to applications that we are unsure of what dangers we could be exposed to. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. Thanks for sharing. 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. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. God bless you! 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. 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.. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. 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. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. It was heart breaking. In September 2011, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to strip the glaze from a bathtub collapsed in the bathtub and later died. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. I didnt realize this was so deadly. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. An apartment maintenance man entered the apartment to look for the man and found him behind the closed bathroom door, unresponsive, and slumped over the tub. 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 thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! and products contain ISOs. 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. Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. 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. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. 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. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. And again, dont be afraid to ask. I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. 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.