You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. 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. 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. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. 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 . Hello 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. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. Thanks! Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. 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. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. 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 also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! 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. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. 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 . Is that dangerous as well? 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. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? Stay safe! It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. Thank you for your comment. 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. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. I have asked for the list of chemicals they use but have not heard anything. We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. The first one was a very long process because there was no air circulation what so ever si the two part paint kit kept separating from one another which kept me in the room with only my Tshirt pulled over my nose. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. It has one small rust stain and is still moderately shiny. She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. *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. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. 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. I do home remodeling in Dallas, and many homeowners want to try to salvage some tubs, which is cost effective for some, but certainly a chemical risk for the workers and I would think the homeowners need to be made aware of this type of chemical being used in their home. I 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. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Thank you for this post. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Thanks for this information. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. 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. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. Pros will have the correct gear, knowledge of how to ventilate the space and protect themselves, and familiarity with the various chemicals used so you dont need to worry about keeping yourself safe. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. We sure take a lot things for granted. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. I had no choice but to return home. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. Thanks so much for the info! For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Use a qualified occupational safety and health specialist to assist in the design and installation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to effectively control vapors to below applicable PELs. Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). 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. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. 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). You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. Does anyone know if I should be worried? Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. AND DURING CLEANING. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. Posts: 19. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. The fumes were in her room not mine, i didnt know until i opened the door, we had put on the fan origionally for the smell, fumes came full blown after. It is now peeling off. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. Hi, this is all so helpful. Thanks for telling us now. 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. 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. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. very good and helpful post thanks to author. You should contact 911 and move to an area with fresh air (outside), or if possible open an window to let fresh air in. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? There is a lot of toxicological information available on the Internet which can be found by joining the term MSDS with as specific a description of the product about which you are interested in knowing. Thank you for the great information. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. Thank you for your comment. I think they want things swept under the carpet. 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. ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. I have read many articles but this is different one. 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. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. Keep up the good work! My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Extraction during the process is everything. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. 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. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. Thank you for your comment. I opened my windows, all four. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? Need professional help with your project? TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. 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. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. Not worth it. The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. Gerda. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. keep blogging~! I and my two other friends went to the hospital last night to say our goodbyes. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. Open the bathroom door and as many . Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. 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. 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. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. We are sorry to hear about your health issues. I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. It is unsafe that s why we recomendto contact a professional to stripit for you. 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. Thanks if you reply. A fresh air system is critical. Thanks! After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. 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 do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. Patrick. Quite naive of me. 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. These are classified as potential human carcinogens according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and protective gear should be worn when working with them. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. Provided your surface was prepped correctly, you can expect your reglazed tub and/or tile to be good for about seven to 10 years, and the more you take care of it, the longer it will last. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys God bless you! No one deserves to go through this heartache of losing a friend, due to a situation that could have easily been avoided. Cristine. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. 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. Ventilate Your Work Area. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? It was a cold day, so I went back inside. 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. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. No warning that fumes would make me sick. Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). She her nextwalked over to-door neighbor's apartment, where a team weari ng respirators was refinishi ng the bathroom with a spray-on resurfacing material and a chemical accelerator. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. This post was helpful to me too. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. This is in Australia. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. That is really great to know. I dont think I had the right mask on. Also you should understand between difference between Refinishing (without removing the old layer first) and Reglazing (stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub) a Bathtub. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. Simply not worth the risk. Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. 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. Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. I was researching because i just had a bad experience. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. 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. 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? Works on all types of surfaces. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. Bare minimum, the ventilation should meet some requirements, and homeowners should HAVE to LEAVE THE HOUSE for 3 days. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. 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 . For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. I have 2 small kids and an infant. Liners can leak and create mold problems. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. 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). It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. Publication number 81-8c-2013. Whether your tub is refinished or reglazed depends on whether or not the old coating was removed before putting a new layer of epoxy or another coating. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. Its staff and technicians from any and . discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. Unless you have access to all the necessary protective clothing and equipment and are confident in your bathrooms ventilation system as well as your DIY capabilities, you should hire a professional to handle it. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed.