Thanks! Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). 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.. Always wear hand and eye protection. Thank you for your comment. I am older with heart disease and lung disease. 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. 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 dont think I had the right mask on. 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. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. This is poor. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. 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 like it. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. (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. share Share. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? After doing research on reglazing chemicals typically used for bathtubs, we found that it's strongly suggested to (1) not be in the home for at least 48 hours after the reglazing and (2) that leaving windows open is not enough, but you must bring in some kind of ventilation gear such as hurricane fans or powered tubing to clear the area out . 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. Apartments | Specialized Refinishing Co. 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. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. We do not have any information about the paint chips that are peeling off of your refinished bathtub. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. Bathtubs should be refinished every seven to 10 years, or more frequently if there is significant damage, stained, or you (or your homes previous owners) havent been cleaning your bathtub the right way. You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. Thanks for the great post. Thanks for the post on this. if we do we get evicted. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. I think people always take safety for too lightly. Barely 3 days later I now have pluracy and bronchitis, i feel the building should be held responsible as we werent notified of the dangers. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. 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. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Ive read some incredible information in this article. 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. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. Thank you for your comment. I am Gary Goel owner of the Professional Bathtub Refinishers Association. Now what about substances that are used in bathtub refinishing as final top-coats such as Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane, or, another, as one company advertises: Porcelain Glaze-a new type of chemical finish. What is porcelain glaze? We tried to open our window a bit. Adults? 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/. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! I certainly will be approaching this much differently. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. a great article! I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Finding a Miracle Method office. Thanks for your comment. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (read more about that here), and overall, is pleased with the results. I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. But I keep on hitting dead ends. I dont know of incidents that may have occurred, buy you can never be too careful with peoples lives. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. $ 89 00. 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. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). 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. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). Thank you. 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. Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? After an hour again, I decided to take a ride to feel fresh air. It has one small rust stain and is still moderately shiny. 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/. Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers. 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. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. Is Bathtub Refinishing Safe? | Tub Reglazing Fumes & Safety - Angi These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. The Environmental Protection Agency provides general information and resources on indoor air quality in apartments, see https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments. As my two other friends and I stood there over our lost brother, we could not help but cry, tell stories of our past together, and wish that he could hear us one last time. A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. This article does a good job calling attention to the dangers of methylene chloride products and noting that many people dont know how dangerous it is. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. 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. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. While NIOSH research and prevention efforts typically focus on workers, worker representatives and employers, the readers of this blog may be able to help us reach the do-it-yourself community who can face the same risks. Its staff and technicians from any and . NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. The past three days have been the hardest in my entire life. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. 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. Posts: 19. 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. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. So we need extra care. OSHA has regulations that sets a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 parts per million (ppm) as a time-weighted average (TWA) exposure over an 8-hour work shift. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. 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. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. Vapors from this liquid can collect in the bottom of the tub and cause the person refinishing the tub to asphyxiate or even suffer from a heart attack because methyl chloride turns to carbon monoxide in the body, cutting off oxygen supply. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. Bathtub Reglazing Los Angeles CA | Fiberglass Porcelain Refinishing Need professional help with your project? Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. 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 . Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. Our tub was just resurfaced today I was told six hours after they got done we could return to the apartment and stay the night just cant use the tub or take the tape off for 48 hours is that safe? Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. Although we cant say there is any particular hazard from these paint chips, it would be prudent to prevent your toddler from eating the paint chips or bathing the toddler in water with material that is degrading from the tub into the water. That is really great to know. Overwhelming toxic fumes from renovations on a neighbor's apartment I am unknown form this . Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). Understanding the Fumes Associated with Bathtub Refinishing Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. Thanks for your comment. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. 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. Does anyone know if I should be worried? 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. Now Im cleaning up the interior; its not in terrible condition, but it has a few chips and the surface is not as smooth as Id like. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. My question is about whether it leaches during use. 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. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. I didnt think too much about it. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. Everything You Need to Know About Bathtub Refinishing Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. We are sorry to hear about your health issues. 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. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. 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. There is an incredible amount of data Your blog has provided useful information for the work. 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.. 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 will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. I do home remodeling in Dallas, and many homeowners want to try to salvage some tubs, which is cost effective for some, but certainly a chemical risk for the workers and I would think the homeowners need to be made aware of this type of chemical being used in their home.