Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. 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. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. 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. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. 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. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. 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? I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. 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. 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. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. No one deserves to go through this heartache of losing a friend, due to a situation that could have easily been avoided. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. But two days later it still bothers me. Thanks for this information. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. Is it safe to stay???? The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. Jimmy White of Staten Island-based Custom Spraying and Reglazing, who has been doing it for more than 30 years and is considered the reglazer to the starsheworked on Faye Dunaway's and Candace Bergens bathroomssays it can be done in a few hours, plus 24 hours of dry time. It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors. Very good info. ARE THESE REGLAZED TUBS DANGEROUS AFTER THE PROCESS DRIES? Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. 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. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. 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. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. As exposure increases so do the health effects, with a potential for suffocation, loss of consciousness, coma, and sudden death. We face inspections every year where lots of tubs are refinished in this building.but no precautions are ever taken to protect the residents and their animals. Avoid or minimize spraying methylene chloride. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. 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. Your article has truly peaked my interest. 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. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. And again, dont be afraid to ask. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. and products contain ISOs. Methyl chloride has high vapor pressure, meaning that it evaporates extremely quickly and turns into gas that can easily be inhaled, especially in a small bathroom that may not be adequately ventilated. The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. Open the bathroom door and as many . I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. if we do we get evicted. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers If methylene chloride was used to strip the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing (the focus of our blog), it is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. keep blogging~! I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. 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. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. There may also be substitute stripping products or methods however, please be aware that substitute stripping products may include other harmful chemicals or hazards, so use substitutes safely. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. I was doing some research on tub reglazing when I found this article. Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. 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. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. I didnt realize this was so deadly. *Note that there are reports that a fresh air system is . Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. 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. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. It is now peeling off. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. 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. Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. I just bought this old house that has this beautiful tub if only it can get restored back to new. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? 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. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. 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. We have had a terrible experience. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. I dont know of incidents that may have occurred, buy you can never be too careful with peoples lives. How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. 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. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. Provided your surface was prepped correctly, you can expect your reglazed tub and/or tile to be good for about seven to 10 years, and the more you take care of it, the longer it will last. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. 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. Ive spoken with many other tub resurfacing company owners and employees, and most of them do not use or even own full-face air-supplied respirators. There is a lot of toxicological information available on the Internet which can be found by joining the term MSDS with as specific a description of the product about which you are interested in knowing. Unless you have access to all the necessary protective clothing and equipment and are confident in your bathrooms ventilation system as well as your DIY capabilities, you should hire a professional to handle it. My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? CDC twenty four seven. We tried to open our window a bit. Adults? I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? 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. Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. Thank you for the great information. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. I had no choice but to return home. thank you. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. AND DURING CLEANING. She refinished furniture in our garage. Quite naive of me. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. 22 oz. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. Thanks if you reply. I think this type of finish should be banned. In years past, when lead-based paints were used in various home applications, various studies showed that small children (toddlers) were known to ingest (eat) paint chips. 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. 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. 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. Is that smell dangerous for children? You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? MC is not flammable on its own. 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 apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. The story notes also that worker protections are weak a shop in Chattanooga TN with numerous OSHA violations got fined only $1500 for the death of a teenage employee in 1999, and 7 years later, still had not implemented required safety measures. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. 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 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. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. God bless you! I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. We do not have any information about the paint chips that are peeling off of your refinished bathtub. 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. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. 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. Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. 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. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? 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. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. I have read many articles but this is different one. Perhaps this us not the case. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. Thats perhaps the number one reason trying to DIY it is not advisable (kits are available, but just leave it to the professionals). You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. 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. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. Good to see so much effort going into bringing awareness to bathtub refinishing in Waltham. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. Changing up your tub is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget, Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. Provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and fresh makeup air to exhaust vapors released from the stripping agents in the bathtub. The guy who came to do tub had a fancy breathing mask that covered his whole face and tubes attached to his belt I was concerned when I saw the precautions he took but said it was no problem. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. Im a Painting Contractor in Anchorage, Alaska and this is a really good post for me to see! I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. Thank you for your comment. Its staff and technicians from any and . Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. 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 think this type of finish should be banned. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. $ 89 00. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. 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. Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Whenever respirators are required to be worn, the employer must establish and implement a complete respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of OSHAs Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), including proper selection, usage, training and medical surveillance (OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, February 2013, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2013-110 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-110/ ). Hello. 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. Ive read some incredible information in this article. To ensure their safety, the employees should have left the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. Need professional help with your project? 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. I went outside after he was finished. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. 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 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. Thanks for sharing. The concentration of the exposure is important too. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. I am unknown form this . NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. /box. After a few years, she was diagnosed with lung cancer (she never smoked) and died in 1999. My question is about whether it leaches during use. I had my tub reglazed recently. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any 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. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. I usually like to do things myself, but I think I will have to find someone to do my bathtub repair in concord ma. So we need extra care. However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. This is poor. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? 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/. There are bathtub refinishing companies out there, [company name removed] are using safe processes for refinishing your bathtub, you just have to ask the tough questions. Thanks! We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. 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. Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. It can and will save your life. Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. 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. My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. Thanks for your comment. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. 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. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. 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. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. For example, if you have a beautiful clawfoot tub made from heavy cast iron, refinishing is absolutely the way to go. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. 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. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. Stay safe! Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. 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. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc).
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