share Share. I have never thought of this before! Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. Is that legal? When I smell the tiles I can not smell anything but with my nose close to the bathtub I can smell a sweetish sour chemical smell. 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. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. 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. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. But it's not just about looks. Not sure if it can come through the walls. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. a great article! Ventilate Your Work Area. 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 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. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Note that humidity affects both dry time and how well the topcoat bonds to the surface, so the cool, less-humid seasons of fall or spring providethe best conditions for this type of work. This post was helpful to me too. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. We tried to open our window a bit. good information Gail Scott i agree with you . 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. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. 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 forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. Thats perhaps the number one reason trying to DIY it is not advisable (kits are available, but just leave it to the professionals). I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. 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 . 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. Bathtubs should be refinished every seven to 10 years, or more frequently if there is significant damage, stained, or you (or your homes previous owners) havent been cleaning your bathtub the right way. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? It can and will save your life. 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! The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? 22 oz. 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. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. Please respond quickly. 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. If the cost of removing the old tub and installing a new one versus reglazing are similar or your tub is particularly old or damaged, it might be better to get a new one. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. 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. All comments posted become a part of the public domain, and users are responsible for their comments. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. Keep up the good work! 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. Great article. Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. His death could have been easily prevented if he had simply had a co worker outside the door to verbally check on him every 30 seconds. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. very good and helpful post thanks to author. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. That is pretty serious stuff. If the job is not done right it starts to peel, he says. 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. THANK YOU! When is the best time of year to buy or sell a NYC apartment? As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. Absolutely agree with this article. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. It was heart breaking. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. Not worth it. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. 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. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. 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. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. 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. Extraction during the process is everything. However, we have shared the findings of this work and made recommendations to manufacturers and with agencies that may have regulatory/legal authority, including those with oversight beyond the workplace. Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). I sure wish homeowners not use those diy Kits. If I do decide to hire a professional, I will make sure they have the ventilation equipment described here. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. He also had a small fan in the bathroom window to remove the fumes, as well as towels on the floor to prevent odors from coming into the living area. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. 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 My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. But I keep on hitting dead ends. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. Thanks for the great post. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Melissa. We slept inside the apartment after the workers did the bathtub glazing, should we go to the clinic to make sure we are fine? I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. 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. 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. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. Thank you so much! It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. Theyll also ensure adequate ventilation during the project, if necessary deploying powerful fans with duct extensions to exhaust hazardous vapors to the outdoors, says DeClerico. You can review and change the way we collect information below. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Ask Sam: Will the U.S. Supreme Court end rent stabilization? I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. 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. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. I stayed home all day, working around the house because there were two workers and didnt want to leave strangers in my home. Never stay where resurfacing is being done. Finding a Miracle Method office. We have had a terrible experience. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. I opened my windows, all four. If it is an occupied apartment, they have to sign a waiver that they will be gone the required amount of time. He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. Thank you for your comment. What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. 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. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? God bless you! Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. Like many cancer-causing agents, any level of exposure, even concentrations below applicable occupational exposure limits, may pose a residual cancer risk. Now Im cleaning up the interior; its not in terrible condition, but it has a few chips and the surface is not as smooth as Id like. 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. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thanks. The odor and fumes were suffocating. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. Since methylene chloride is a volatile organic compound that will evaporate faster when sprayed, brushed, or poured, the chemical vapors can quickly build up in small spaces. 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. and products contain ISOs. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. Thanks if you reply. 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. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. Thanks for your comment. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. I have been in hat business for 20 years. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. Thank you. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. If they continue, you should consult your doctor. Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. This is poor. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. 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. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. Thanks for sharing. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. 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. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Hello. 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. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. Consult the OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert for specific information regarding engineering controls, exposure levels and air monitoring, personal protective equipment, worker training and medical surveillance. You should contact 911 and move to an area with fresh air (outside), or if possible open an window to let fresh air in. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. When working with stripper or using solvents,acid,etcas well as applying your refinishing product.ALWAYS USE A FRESH-AIR SYSTEM..NOT MASKSmasks leak so they dont give the protection you need for long term exposure.I use a mask only when Im outside mixing or gathering my equipment when the job is finished and I should be using the fresh air system while I do that.Also cover your skinsome of these chemical will get into your body through your skin.Good LuckKeep yourself safe..DO YOUR RESEARCH. This is in Australia. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. I now have a colostomy, urostomy,skin cancers and CKD(chronic kidney disease)with only one kidney working and that only functions at 15%. Thanks for your comment. Publication number 81-8c-2013. 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. I have used this product recently on a tub used all the proper PPE and approved NIOSH mask and jump suit and I have tasted this awful taste in my mouth for a couple of days its been 2 weeks and I still kinda feel it in my chest. Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? If your bathroom has a window, set a fan near it pointing outwards; this will help move air and dissipate the fumes. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. 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 . Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. 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. We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. Maybe others reading this blog will be able to help point you in the right direction. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. if we do we get evicted. Stay safe! If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. If youve got an old bathtub(or bathroom) and youre investigating your options for giving it an upgrade, youve likely come across the term reglazingalso known as refinishing or recoating, which can revive a tiredtub or evenold bathroom tile. I would like to know. 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. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. Thanks for the post on this. 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 take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. I have read many articles but this is different one. 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. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. 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. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. The fumes from stripping a tub of its previous coating(s) can contain methylene chloride, a colorless liquid that smells similar to chloroform and emits VOCs, aka volatile organic compounds. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. 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. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? As a result, most tenants moved. Thank for speaking about about tub 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. And again, dont be afraid to ask. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. 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. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. Cristine. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. I am unknown form this . If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. This is a great article. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. 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.