I did two tubs in old houses yesterday. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. Is that legal? Acid is then applied to deglaze the tub and/or tile, followed by a bonding agent or primer, and finally, a urethane topcoat is applied. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. 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. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. We do not have any information about the paint chips that are peeling off of your refinished bathtub. I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. Thanks for the post on this. We can ask questions and be well-informed. Its a multi-step process that involves cleaning the tub thoroughly and sanding it to remove any soap scum or other particles, and repairing cracks or worn areasall of these imperfections will affect the quality and durability of the final finishing coat. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. Im a Painting Contractor in Anchorage, Alaska and this is a really good post for me to see! 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. thank you. Not sure if it can come through the walls. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. 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. 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. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. Here's how to do it, How buying real estate in NYC is unlike anywhere else, A guide to using a no-fee renovation loan from a NYC real estate firm, How to make your NYC renovation more pet-friendly, From Boerum Hill to Prospect Lefferts Gardens: After years of renting, we wanted to buy a condo with amenities, What to know about buying in Briarwood, Queens, where you may score a house with a driveway and garage. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. share Share. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride (paint stripper) directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. Gerda. thank you so much. 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. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. Thanks for your comment. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. Even a tiny bit? Very good info. Or will we be ok?? Our beloved pet went into respiratory failure the next day, was rushed to the ER and spent three nights in the veterinarian ICU. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? 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). This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. 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. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. 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. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. That is a shocking statistic, At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? Publication number 81-8c-2013. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. 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 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. When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. Is that dangerous as well? At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. (Removing a tub and installing a new one can cost thousands, and if youre in an apartment building, it might even require getting your downstairs neighbor involved as it may impact plumbing beyond your apartment. How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? We need to care when the baths are refinished. If youve got an old bathtub(or bathroom) and youre investigating your options for giving it an upgrade, youve likely come across the term reglazingalso known as refinishing or recoating, which can revive a tiredtub or evenold bathroom tile. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . We slept inside the apartment after the workers did the bathtub glazing, should we go to the clinic to make sure we are fine? 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 would really like some reassurance. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. However, the human body can quickly become desensitized to the smell and a worker may be overexposed even if he or she can no longer smell it. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! Employers must ensure that workers are not exposed to levels above OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs) of 25 parts per million (ppm) over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and 125 ppm over any 15-minute period (short-term exposure limit or STEL) (29 CFR 1910.1052(c)). 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. Remove the overflow plate from the tub and begin the caulk removal stage.Start by removing the caulk around the tub where it meets the tile surround. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers Is it safe to stay???? It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? But I keep on hitting dead ends. 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. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. 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)). Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. $ 89 00. 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. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. My cat and I were both really sick afterwards and my cat has now passed on.no one told us to go anywhere else, my cat was unable to be transported anyway and so was I since Im handicapped. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. It is now peeling off. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. 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. 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. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Unfortunately, manufacturers tend to play-down the immediate and especially long-term exposure risks from degassing (fumes) that occur perhaps over the next month or more. Avoid or minimize spraying methylene chloride. 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. Your new bathroom's finish won't have any . We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. I am older with heart disease and lung disease. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. I have been in hat business for 20 years. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Thank you for sharing this useful information. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. 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. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. My friend was in the bathroom for only 4 minutes until his co workers had discovered him lying head first into the bathtub, still wearing proper mask and gloves both of which in good condition. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. I have stripped hundreds of tubs. Thanks! They were wearing some gas mask type stuff while they were doing it, but I have noticed even after spraying the fumes were strong; and I was outside when they did this. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. 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. Thanks for the great post. Your email address will not be published. I think our tub would look so much nicer if we had it refinished. This post was helpful to me too. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. No warning that fumes would make me sick. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. For example, if your pipes have burst, spilling water into the unit, a day or two may be reasonable, assuming that the landlord can employ a qualified repair person within that time period . Now its already peeling. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? The first one was a very long process because there was no air circulation what so ever si the two part paint kit kept separating from one another which kept me in the room with only my Tshirt pulled over my nose. Adults? Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. Hello If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Your article has truly peaked my interest. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I would also like to issue one other caveat. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. How do I know if this is toxic? Even if you hire a professional, let the area air out and keep it ventilated after the work is complete until you can no longer detect any unusual or chemical odors. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. Thanks! Its like trying to paint a car yourself. Moreover, because methylene chloride evaporates quickly (it has a high vapor pressure), vapors can collect in the bottom of a bathtub and in the workers breathing zone when working in the bathtub. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. If the job is not done right it starts to peel, he says. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. I and my two other friends went to the hospital last night to say our goodbyes. Rents an apartment with ventilation that mixes with neighbors and brings odors from adjacent apartments, Was subjected to highly toxic fumes from maintenance being performed on a neighboring apartment Suffered from effects of those fumes, and nearly succumbing to them Thank you for your comment. Myown life was almost cut short stripping a bathtub and I was using the best Equipment money can buy but machinery or equipment can fail. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. I have asked for the list of chemicals they use but have not heard anything. These are classified as potential human carcinogens according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and protective gear should be worn when working with them. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. Thanks for your comment. I didnt realize this was so deadly. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. I just rented a house. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. Wow! ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. Most professionals use alternative methods when possible. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. 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. Thanks! Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. Or should I leave? If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. 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. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. 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? It was heart breaking. *By signing up you agree to receive occasional emails on behalf of our sponsors, Copyright 2009-2022 by BrickUnderground | PrivacyPolicy | TermsofService | AdChoices | Login, National Association of Real Estate Editors. I didnt think too much about it. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! Thats perhaps the number one reason trying to DIY it is not advisable (kits are available, but just leave it to the professionals). 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. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. (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.). We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. 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. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? I am unknown form this . Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. But it's not just about looks. Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? 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.

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