This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. It was a cold day, so I went back inside. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. 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. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. We are sorry to hear about your health issues. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. I didnt realize this was so deadly. *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. thank you so much. a great article! You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. Avoid or minimize spraying methylene chloride. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride Simply not worth the risk. I cant tell you how many times Ive told others in the field that are doing this to make sure they have more ventilation and to remove or re-coat the tube out of the bathroom and to at least not to do it without the proper breathing apparatus. Bathtub refinishing fumes are most certainly dangerous during the application process and immediate curing process. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. 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. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. As a result, most tenants moved. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. 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. However, during the refinishing process, it is not possible for us to guess what the airborne concentration of methylene chloride may be in your home without knowing how the workers will be using methylene chloride and how they plan to ventilate the work area and the house. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. Quite naive of me. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. 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. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. I am thankful that I found this article before I made a final decision on whether or not to purchase a DIY kit for my tub interior. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. Thanks for your comment. 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. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. Traditional methods used for detecting methylene chloride involve air sampling pumps (calibrated at the desired air flow) and a sampling train with charcoal tubes as the collection media for methylene chloride. i come back again this blog, any way i think DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. 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. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? 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. Pacific Reglazing provides high quality, affordable kitchen and bathroom repair and refinishing services throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, the San Fernando Valley, Ventura, Orange County and Riverside County. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. Agree with your perspective. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? and products contain ISOs. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Very interesting. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. It gives me hope to see that some commenters are specialists who are trying to recreate safer and more effective processes that will phase out use of this agent. 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. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. 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! What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? I have read many articles but this is different one. Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). As exposure increases so do the health effects, with a potential for suffocation, loss of consciousness, coma, and sudden death. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? 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. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. 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. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Thank you for your comment. I did two tubs in old houses yesterday. I went outside after he was finished. Thank you. You can review and change the way we collect information below. You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. Thanks for telling us now. So we need extra care. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. Thank you for your comment. The fumes were in her room not mine, i didnt know until i opened the door, we had put on the fan origionally for the smell, fumes came full blown after. Cristine. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. However no one is to blame, and no one is at fault. 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/. Thanks for the great post. 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. Thanks for your comment. Not worth it. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. Its highly toxic Teri. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any 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. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. 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. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. After a few years, she was diagnosed with lung cancer (she never smoked) and died in 1999. You get enough toxic chemicals in your daily life without adding additional products that harm you by breathing its toxic fumes or being absorbed into your skin. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. He was found unconscious minutes later and was rushed to the emergency room, several neuro tests where done and they all concluded the same thing.. Kevin had been brain dead before he was found on the job. This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. 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. 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. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Why is this not part of a home inspection, when you move into a house, built in 1950? 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. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. 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. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. I think our tub would look so much nicer if we had it refinished. If you are considering refinishing your bathtub or shower, click on Find a Location or call our toll free locator number, 1-888-271-7690 . Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? I have learned some incredible information in this report. We tried to open our window a bit. 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 . Thank you for your comment. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. Finding a Miracle Method office. 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. Why? If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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. 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). "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. Thanks for your comment. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. 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. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. 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. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. I think this should not be happening after 4 weeks but dont know what to do about it. Thanks! Thanks for sharing. Your email address will not be published. Even a tiny bit? Or will we be ok?? 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. 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. Pre-leasing now launched at 595 Dean St., the newest rental development in Brooklyn's vibrant Prospect Heights, The roommate dilemma: It's much more expensive to rent an apartment in NYC all by yourself now. We sure take a lot things for granted. 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. Please respond quickly. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! share Share. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. I would also like to issue one other caveat. I went to clean out the tub to take another shower myself and by just barely cleaning it a whole bunch of paint came off, like over a foot and I was just barely scrubbing! IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? I have 15 years experience with bathtub refinishing and stripping. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. If you are referring to paint strippers (which is what methylene Chloride is used for) one consideration would be using alternative methods, such as sanding. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Karma: 3. Now its already peeling. Kimberly Evans. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers According to the Centers of Disease Control, more than half a million children ages 1-5 in the U.S. have blood lead levels high enough to damage their health. It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. I would like to know. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. We use MC (methylene chloride) in my furniture shop. Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. 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. Thorough prep and and cleaning can preventbig headaches down the road. 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. We have had a terrible experience. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. 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.. Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. Posts: 19. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. 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. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. So glad I read this. So, if the concentration were over the PEL, for example at 50 ppm, the workers would exceed the 25 ppm average limit in 4 hours. 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. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. No one deserves to go through this heartache of losing a friend, due to a situation that could have easily been avoided. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! 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. 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. 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. AND DURING CLEANING. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! The tub needs to go. If proper ventilation is not possible, there needs to be a supervisor on watch in the room, or at least directly outside the door, ready to open immediately if the worker inside does not verbally respond to continuous 30 second verbal safety checks. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride.