Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. a great article! Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. Need professional help with your project? If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. 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. We are sorry to hear about your health issues. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. Agree with your perspective. *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 think this type of finish should be banned. This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. 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. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. 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.. thank you so much. Capital region housing in edmonton is the worst. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. 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. If they continue, you should consult your doctor. very good and helpful post thanks to author. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. Thank you so much! 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. theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. It was heart breaking. We need to care when the baths are refinished. 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. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. 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. If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. The nearby exterior door was open for ventilation and the overhead fan was blowing and although they had a pipe going from the bathroom down the hall and out the front door this was not sufficient. Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! I would also like to issue one other caveat. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. It can and will save your life. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Thank you. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. Note that humidity affects both dry time and how well the topcoat bonds to the surface, so the cool, less-humid seasons of fall or spring providethe best conditions for this type of work. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. 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. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. Hello. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. 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. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. 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. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. When engineering and work practice controls cannot decrease methylene chloride levels below OSHAs PELs (25 ppm over an 8-hour TWA or 125 ppm over a 15-minute period), employers must provide their workers with full-face atmosphere-supplying respirators. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. keep blogging~! But two days later it still bothers me. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products.I think this type of finish should be banned.This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. We sure take a lot things for granted. I have so many friends that are a part of DIY pages that encourage individuals to attempt these kinds of projects on their own, unknowingly knowing some of the real dangers. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. But I keep on hitting dead ends. Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers. You should contact 911 and move to an area with fresh air (outside), or if possible open an window to let fresh air in. Thanks for sharing. 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. Thanks for this information. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. The specific effects of methylene chloride exposure will vary depending on several factors, such as the amount of methylene chloride the worker is exposed to, how long the exposure lasts, and whether the worker has a higher susceptibility (for example, having a preexisting heart condition). I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? I think regulators should be aware of these dangers. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. $ 89 00. All comments posted become a part of the public domain, and users are responsible for their comments. The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. 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. I opened my windows, all four. 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. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! 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. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Ventilate Your Work Area. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. 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. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. I cannot replace the tub without it being a major, expensive remodel. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. Its highly toxic Teri. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Thanks for your comment. Thanks for the post on this. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. Extraction during the process is everything. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. I would like to know. 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. That is pretty serious stuff. Publication number 81-8c-2013. 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. We do have pets and have young kids. A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. 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. 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. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). I didnt realize this was so deadly. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. Consult the OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert for specific information regarding engineering controls, exposure levels and air monitoring, personal protective equipment, worker training and medical surveillance. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? Hello Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. Animal studies have shown that exposure to methylene chloride may lead to liver and lung cancer, as well as tumors in the breast and salivary glands. We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. Why can strippers with this ingredient be sold to consumers in U.S. hardware stores that do _not_ sell the full-face air supplied respirators that should be worn while using it? You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. 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. I have 2 small kids and an infant. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. The tub needs to go. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? 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. It is a less costly alternative to replacing a bathtub; however, the process often involves the use of hazardous chemicals including methylene chloride, acids, and isocyanates. I am all for saving money and dont wish to come off like I dont appreciate the effort but if your already saving $5000 why not let a pro do it. Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. She refinished furniture in our garage. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. At Specialized Refinishing, we have a team of highly experienced, certified refinishing and reglazing technicians who can restore and revitalize a wide variety of surfaces and fixtures in your rental property or before you put a house on the market. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. I think this blog is very helpful in knowing about the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products.We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing.Thanks a lot for sharing such a helpful information. I sure wish homeowners not use those diy Kits. 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. 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. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. What is this stuff? Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. If the chemical you are using is marked as flammable then you can be sure that it is not 100% MC. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. What is the LEAST TOXIC alternative for bathtub reglazing? In Europe, the use of paint strippers containing more than 0.1 % methylene chloride is allowed only in industrial installations with adequate controls to reduce exposure. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. I went outside after he was finished. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. Not worth it. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. MC is not flammable on its own. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. I dont know of incidents that may have occurred, buy you can never be too careful with peoples lives. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. The past three days have been the hardest in my entire life. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. This may sound extreme, but I assure you, neglect to safety is not worth the life of a co worker, family member, or in my case a best friend. i like it. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . 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? The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). The guy who came to do tub had a fancy breathing mask that covered his whole face and tubes attached to his belt I was concerned when I saw the precautions he took but said it was no problem. If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. I think our tub would look so much nicer if we had it refinished. 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). thank you. 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. Never stay where resurfacing is being done. Thank you for your comment. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. 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. Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked.