They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. 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. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. I have stripped hundreds of tubs. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Publication number 81-8c-2013. ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. After doing research on reglazing chemicals typically used for bathtubs, we found that it's strongly suggested to (1) not be in the home for at least 48 hours after the reglazing and (2) that leaving windows open is not enough, but you must bring in some kind of ventilation gear such as hurricane fans or powered tubing to clear the area out . Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. However, the human body can quickly become desensitized to the smell and a worker may be overexposed even if he or she can no longer smell it. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. I recently had our tub sresurfaced as well as kitchen counters done, and the smell was so strong I dont know how these guys can do this every day. Ron, This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. The tub needs to go. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. /box. So glad I read this. God bless you! The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. 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. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? Contractors who handle bathtub refinishing or reglazing are well-versed in the health risks and OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Association) guidelines for risky jobs like these, making it an easy choice to bring in an expert for the task. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Rents an apartment with ventilation that mixes with neighbors and brings odors from adjacent apartments, Was subjected to highly toxic fumes from maintenance being performed on a neighboring apartment Suffered from effects of those fumes, and nearly succumbing to them If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. 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 wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Step 2: Clean the Tub Thoroughly Step 3: Protect Areas Around the Tub Step 4: Remove the Glaze Step 5: Sand the Surface Step 6: Prep the Surface for Glaze Application We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. Perhaps this us not the case. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. 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. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. thank you so much. If youve been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Thanks for your comment. They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. So, if the concentration were over the PEL, for example at 50 ppm, the workers would exceed the 25 ppm average limit in 4 hours. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. If the room where it was used is flushed with fresh air, perhaps by using a small fan, it is unlikely that any methylene chloride will be present or continue to leech out days after the re-glazing was done. My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. Im not familiar with the Australian occupational health and safety system but you might want to start with Safe Work Australia http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA . My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. Thanks for your comment. I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. How Long Does It Take the Tub to Dry After Reglazing? Now its already peeling. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. 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. 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 the great post. Keep up the good work! I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. 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 had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment Those DIY kits are not cutting it. Sometimes, its less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if its a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. Karma: 3. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. It is unsafe that s why we recomendto contact a professional to stripit for you. Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. 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. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. Hover Image to Zoom. 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. 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. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. If this could be dangerous, government should put strict in purchasing this kind of toxic to avoid casualties for workers and even consumers. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. How Long Does Reglazing a Tub Last and How Does it Work How to get your plans past the board, 3 NYC apartment bathroom renovation veterans on what they learned from the process, How to read a NYC co-op or condo buildings financial statement. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. We tried to open our window a bit. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. Is that legal? The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. *Note that there are reports that a fresh air system is . In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Thanks for telling us now. Posts: 19. I have learned some incredible information in this report. I would really like some reassurance. "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. "[The problem area] now takes up about a third of the bottom of the tub, because every time the water runs, more comes off," she says. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Mostly problem is that it can broken. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.. 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. If the area is poorly ventilated (which is common in bathrooms) or the person doing the work isnt wearing the appropriate protective gear, they could stop breathing, or worsemethyl chloride has an effect similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. Your article has truly peaked my interest. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Myths About Bathtub Refinishing | Specialized Refinishing Co. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. Is it safe to stay???? Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. Thorough prep and and cleaning can preventbig headaches down the road. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. We sure take a lot things for granted. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. 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. If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. Tub Cast Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit - Made In The USA - Odorless 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. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. I think they want things swept under the carpet. I already have cancer, my throat was raw and I had a headache. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. 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. 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. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. Very good info. Changing ones business practices and methods can certainly be a daunting task and a big decision, but in the case of methylene chloride and bathtubs it is an important, potentially lifesaving one. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. 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! Superior heavy duty Reglazing. keep blogging~! Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. I opened my windows, all four. Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. Thanks. After an hour again, I decided to take a ride to feel fresh air. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. 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. Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. 22 oz. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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. 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. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Although we cant say there is any particular hazard from these paint chips, it would be prudent to prevent your toddler from eating the paint chips or bathing the toddler in water with material that is degrading from the tub into the water. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. When the door is closed for a while it gets very strong and when its open one can hardly smell it but that does not mean it is not there. 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. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. 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. The Environmental Protection Agency provides general information and resources on indoor air quality in apartments, see https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments. 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. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. We are inconsolable. He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. 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. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. It was heart breaking. 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. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. 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. I stripped the lead paint off the outside of an old cast iron tub using a low-VOC paint stripper suitable for lead paint, and then primed and painted the exterior. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We do not have any information about the paint chips that are peeling off of your refinished bathtub. 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? They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. Cristine. I think this should not be happening after 4 weeks but dont know what to do about it. 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. If it is an occupied apartment, they have to sign a waiver that they will be gone the required amount of time. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. Great article. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. Because this process, which involves spraying a new topcoat on your existing tub and/or tile, is significantly cheaper, easier, cleaner, and less time-consuming than actually replacing a tub. Having your bathtub professionally refinished will cost around $460 (the national average), but you can expect to pay between $200 to $900 depending on the type of tub you have and the cost of labor in your location. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. 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. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. 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. Even a tiny bit? 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. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal.