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. If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. 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 would also like to issue one other caveat. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. 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. 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. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? Finding a Miracle Method office. I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. 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 either not portable or cost prohibitive. and it was very helpful for people, In addition to the hazards of strippers, old porcelain bathtubs, sinks and tiles manufactured before the mid-1990s could also have lead in the glaze, which could leach into bathwater, or if sanded or scraped could form a dust that if ingested by young children (who touch it with bare skin) could cause lead poisoning. Thank you for your comment. Very interesting. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. 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. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. 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. Bathtub. Ms. Scott thank you for your interest in our blog Dangers of Bathtub Refinishing and your question regarding how to assess exposure to toxic vapors. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Thanks for your comment. Always wear hand and eye protection. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. We do have pets and have young kids. The concentration of the exposure is important too. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. No one deserves to go through this heartache of losing a friend, due to a situation that could have easily been avoided. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. 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. 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). 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? 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. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. I never post anything anywhere. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! What to know about adding skylights to your NYC brownstone or apartment, How to evaluate different types of NYC contractor bids when you're renovating, New Yorkers moving out of state save more money on housing than taxes, 5 houses for sale in Margaretville, NY, a small town in the Catskills, 5 houses for sale in Sagaponack, the most expensive zip code in NY. We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. 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. "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. i come back again this blog, any way i think Refinishing a bathtub is a fraction of the cost to replace your bathtub (around $2,900), so if youre at all hesitant about your DIY skills, hiring a pro is a somewhat small price to pay for your health and safety. I just bought this old house that has this beautiful tub if only it can get restored back to new. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! 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. It smelled awful for days. Remove the overflow plate from the tub and begin the caulk removal stage.Start by removing the caulk around the tub where it meets the tile surround. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. if we do we get evicted. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. 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 . I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? *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. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. Thanks for your comment. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. If youve been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. I went outside after he was finished. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. Thanks for your comment. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. Is that smell dangerous for children? Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. I was doing some research on tub reglazing when I found this article. 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. We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. I have read many articles but this is different one. The tub needs to go. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. I have never thought of this before! A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. Even a tiny bit? very good and helpful post thanks to author. Another interest in re-glazing is being fueled by informed masses who have shown a continued interest in "greening" their homes, particularly in making them more . 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. 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. Absolutely agree with this article. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. We are not familiar with the finishes you mention. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys She refinished furniture in our garage. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. I opted in for your Feed too. sprayed with materials that emit fumes which may be hazardous to the tenant's health if inhaled in the working concentration within the first 4-6 hours after completion of the job. Open the bathroom door and as many . It is unsafe that s why we recomendto contact a professional to stripit for you. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. We tried to open our window a bit. 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. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. I have 2 small kids and an infant. Here's how to do it, How buying real estate in NYC is unlike anywhere else, A guide to using a no-fee renovation loan from a NYC real estate firm, How to make your NYC renovation more pet-friendly, From Boerum Hill to Prospect Lefferts Gardens: After years of renting, we wanted to buy a condo with amenities, What to know about buying in Briarwood, Queens, where you may score a house with a driveway and garage. Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. Cristine. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. 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. Not sure if it can come through the walls. Thanks for the great post. 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 Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. 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. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. THANK YOU! At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Thank you for sharing this useful information. Thank you for your comment. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). I dont think I had the right mask on. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. 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! Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. 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. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). 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. 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 have been in hat business for 20 years. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. Is that legal? The home I purchased a few years ago came with cast iron bathtub and ceramic tile walls that had been covered with a 2-step epoxy finish. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. What is the LEAST TOXIC alternative for bathtub reglazing? Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. Will these chemicals be leaching out of the surface, presenting a health concern from contact? I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. Or should I leave? Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. Thank you for this post. Thanks for telling us now. I would like to know. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. If it is an occupied apartment, they have to sign a waiver that they will be gone the required amount of time. Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. (before we had kids). Myown life was almost cut short stripping a bathtub and I was using the best Equipment money can buy but machinery or equipment can fail. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). I have stripped hundreds of tubs. 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. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. 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. 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. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. a great article! I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. thank you. This is in Australia. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). Saving Lives, Protecting People, Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General, http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA, http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00, https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html, http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. john trace, guy carpenter,
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