Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. Keep up the good work! Most professionals use alternative methods when possible. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Your new bathroom's finish won't have any . We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. If your bathroom has a window, set a fan near it pointing outwards; this will help move air and dissipate the fumes. Is that dangerous as well? I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. I have read reglazing tub reviews where a few customers couldn't take the scent while others had no issue with the bathtub reglazing odor. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. Thanks for your comment. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. 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. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. I myself am in the process of creating a technique that will eliminate the need for methylene chloride. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. Melissa. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. 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.. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. (Removing a tub and installing a new one can cost thousands, and if youre in an apartment building, it might even require getting your downstairs neighbor involved as it may impact plumbing beyond your apartment. Thank you. I was doing some research on tub reglazing when I found this article. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. We sure take a lot things for granted. Bathtub Reglazing Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself - TopKote I manage a home related business in Australia and we are often exposed to applications that we are unsure of what dangers we could be exposed to. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. 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. I never post anything anywhere. 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. Barely 3 days later I now have pluracy and bronchitis, i feel the building should be held responsible as we werent notified of the dangers. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Now what about substances that are used in bathtub refinishing as final top-coats such as Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane, or, another, as one company advertises: Porcelain Glaze-a new type of chemical finish. What is porcelain glaze? The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. I have 15 years experience with bathtub refinishing and stripping. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. 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. 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. 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. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? 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. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Thorough prep and and cleaning can preventbig headaches down the road. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. if we do we get evicted. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. Now its already peeling. I had no choice but to return home. Based on this information, I think I can live with a less-than-perfect finish until we are able to get the tub professionally refinished. How to Refinish A Bathtub - DIY Bathtub Refinishing Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. But if we get together as a group of experienced bathtub refinishers I am positive that we can come up with a simple solution that will keep us safe. 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. MC is not flammable on its own. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. A 2015 report by the Center for Public Integrity on U.S. deaths connected to methylene chloride noted that researchers have argued for 30 years that regulation of methylene chloride in the U.S. isnt strong enough to protect workers and that warnings on labels for consumers are insufficient. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. Bathtub Refinishing 101: Tackle This DIY Project in 7 Steps Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. Tub Cast Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit - Made In The USA - Odorless Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. 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. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. 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 again, dont be afraid to ask. $ 89 00. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? It's 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. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. Hello. How Long Does Reglazing a Tub Last and How Does it Work We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. 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. I have read many articles but this is different one. 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. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. share Share. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. Thanks for telling us now. 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. 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. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. I usually like to do things myself, but I think I will have to find someone to do my bathtub repair in concord ma. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. Why is this not part of a home inspection, when you move into a house, built in 1950? How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. Refinishing a tub consists of applying a new chemical coating with a special brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub without removing the old layer first. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. keep blogging~! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. 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 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. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. 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. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. 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. The concentration of the exposure is important too. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. A fresh air system is critical. 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. So we need extra care. With just a day or two of work, reglazing the centerpiece of your bathroom with a durable coating and color is an easy way to give your tub a quick facelift without breaking the bank. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. When there is not a properly designed local exhaust ventilation system to remove vapors, the workers should have used full-face supplied-air respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! 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. This is in Australia. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. In February 2012, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to refinish a bathtub was found dead, slumped over a bathtub in an unventilated bathroom. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? 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. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. 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. Finding a Miracle Method office. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General We have for years been trying to come up with a Stripper that will remove Epoxy DIY kits that do not have the Methylene Chloride but time is an issue. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? 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. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? Everything You Need to Know About Bathtub Refinishing The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. CDC twenty four seven. 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. Need professional help with your project? I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. 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. Do fumes from reglazing a bathtub/shower make an apartment My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. 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. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. 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 . The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. That is really great to know. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. Pacific Reglazing | Bathtub Reglazing Experts Its highly toxic Teri. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? I stayed home all day, working around the house because there were two workers and didnt want to leave strangers in my home. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Hi, this is all so helpful. 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. When selecting a PID care must be taken to make sure that the instrument is equipped with a lamp that has the ionization potential necessary to detect methylene chloride (11.7 eV lamp). I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. 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. Very interesting. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. AND DURING CLEANING. Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. Personally the bathtub reglazing odor resembles the aroma of a room after it has been painted and therefore the fragrance will keep within the facility for up to 2 days, this is not body odor we are . Patrick. Wow! 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. Gerda. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. 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. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. 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.
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