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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. No warning that fumes would make me sick. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. Read more about our comment policy . Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. Ventilate Your Work Area. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. HOPING THE SAME FINEST OPERATE IN THE UP COMING DAYS ALSO. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. We sure take a lot things for granted. There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. 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. As owner of a tub refinishing company we have moved away from polyurethane isocyanate systems years ago because of the hazards but, for educational purposes, we provide a dedicated page with links to various articles on our website explaining the dangers of isocyanate coating use in residential markets. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. Refinishing a bathtub is a fraction of the cost to replace your bathtub (around $2,900), so if youre at all hesitant about your DIY skills, hiring a pro is a somewhat small price to pay for your health and safety. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. In our blog we state that methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. 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. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. Sometimes, it's less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if it's a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. 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. Extraction during the process is everything. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. 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. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. If you have a tub that has seen better days, but you dont want to remove and replace it completely, then you may need to have it reglazed or refinished to restore it to its original state. 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. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). 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. 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. Another interest in re-glazing is being fueled by informed masses who have shown a continued interest in "greening" their homes, particularly in making them more . I think this should not be happening after 4 weeks but dont know what to do about it. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. I never post anything anywhere. Please respond quickly. Thank you for this post. Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. 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. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! Thank you for your comment. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. He also had a small fan in the bathroom window to remove the fumes, as well as towels on the floor to prevent odors from coming into the living area. After most fumes and smell went away two days later i still had muscle pain and spasms all over, headache, very sick and weak, skin burned and stung, could feel it in my lungs. A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. At Specialized Refinishing, we have a team of highly experienced, certified refinishing and reglazing technicians who can restore and revitalize a wide variety of surfaces and fixtures in your rental property or before you put a house on the market. 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. I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Thanks for sharing. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. 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. 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. 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. There is an incredible amount of data I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. 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. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. That is pretty serious stuff. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. But two days later it still bothers me. 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. It is now peeling off. 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. Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers. Cristine. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. Always wear hand and eye protection. That is really great to know. Thank you for your comment. Also you should understand between difference between Refinishing (without removing the old layer first) and Reglazing (stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub) a Bathtub. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. I have been in hat business for 20 years. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). Pros will have the correct gear, knowledge of how to ventilate the space and protect themselves, and familiarity with the various chemicals used so you dont need to worry about keeping yourself safe. The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. The fact of the matter is that using a professional that is trained and well-versed in the safety measures of bathtub refinishing; is critical, and can not only protect the owners of the property, but those performing the job! refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. My question is about whether it leaches during use. 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. 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. This is in Australia. Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. 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. While a new tub can cost as little as $150, labor expenses for the replacement process can easily add $1,500 or more to the bill. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. She refinished furniture in our garage. 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). Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. Mostly problem is that it can broken. Now its already peeling. What to know about adding skylights to your NYC brownstone or apartment, How to evaluate different types of NYC contractor bids when you're renovating, New Yorkers moving out of state save more money on housing than taxes, 5 houses for sale in Margaretville, NY, a small town in the Catskills, 5 houses for sale in Sagaponack, the most expensive zip code in NY. Your new bathroom's finish won't have any . Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. MC is not flammable on its own. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? We are inconsolable. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. 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. I have read many articles but this is different one. keep blogging~! Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. It smelled awful for days. 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 . Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. Dear Mr. Ronald M. Hall, you probably save my life with this article! Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. Step 2: Clean the Tub Thoroughly Step 3: Protect Areas Around the Tub Step 4: Remove the Glaze Step 5: Sand the Surface Step 6: Prep the Surface for Glaze Application Their cost is at least twice as expensive as Miracle Method refinishing and can take up to 3 to 4 weeks from ordering to installation. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! I blog often and I really appreciate your content. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. I didnt realize this was so deadly. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. 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 fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. So glad I read this. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. 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. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. 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. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. When the door is closed for a while it gets very strong and when its open one can hardly smell it but that does not mean it is not there. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. if we do we get evicted. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. 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. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. Great article. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Thanks so much for the info! I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. I have 3 kids in a tiny apt in Brooklyn. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. 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). Will these chemicals be leaching out of the surface, presenting a health concern from contact? What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! 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. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. Theyll also ensure adequate ventilation during the project, if necessary deploying powerful fans with duct extensions to exhaust hazardous vapors to the outdoors, says DeClerico. The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? A fresh air system is critical. But it's not just about looks. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. I would also like to issue one other caveat. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. Thanks for your comment. 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. If those working with these finishes have concerns about their health they can request a Health Hazard Evaluation from NIOSH at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. 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. However, products are more dangerous when they are sweet smelling, and as your article states your are already exposed once you smell it. Great information. *Note that there are reports that a fresh air system is . Finding a Miracle Method office. We had maintenance workers come by and resurface it earlier this week, but they did not properly ventilate the chemical smell and the stench is still there. Because this process, which involves spraying a new topcoat on your existing tub and/or tile, is significantly cheaper, easier, cleaner, and less time-consuming than actually replacing a tub. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. We need to care when the baths are refinished. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. His death could have been easily prevented if he had simply had a co worker outside the door to verbally check on him every 30 seconds. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . I have learned some incredible information in this report.