When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. I already have cancer, my throat was raw and I had a headache. Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. Bathtub Refinishing 101: Tackle This DIY Project in 7 Steps Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. 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. However, you need to keep these essential health and safety considerations in mind whether you hire a contractor to refinish your tub or do it yourself. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . If those working with these finishes have concerns about their health they can request a Health Hazard Evaluation from NIOSH at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/. 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. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. 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. Liners can leak and create mold problems. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. How do I know if this is toxic? Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. We do not tread lightly, so I think we are a good example to work off of in terms of durability., Of the overall aesthetic, particularly the walls, she says: If you look closely, it's a little weird as you see the indent of the grout lines, but it's all one texture. 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. 22 oz. Employers must ensure that workers are not exposed to levels above OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs) of 25 parts per million (ppm) over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and 125 ppm over any 15-minute period (short-term exposure limit or STEL) (29 CFR 1910.1052(c)). Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. Melissa. Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. Thank you for this post. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. Jimmy White of Staten Island-based Custom Spraying and Reglazing, who has been doing it for more than 30 years and is considered the reglazer to the starsheworked on Faye Dunaway's and Candace Bergens bathroomssays it can be done in a few hours, plus 24 hours of dry time. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. 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. 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 . What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. For example, if you have a beautiful clawfoot tub made from heavy cast iron, refinishing is absolutely the way to go. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. Posts: 19. If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. 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. Hi I have very sensitive skin, and covered in psoriasis and eczema. We need to care when the baths are refinished. print Print. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. $ 89 00. I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. thank you so much. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Patrick. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? I had no choice but to return home. Lowering exposures, even below the PEL, is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. Thanks for telling us now. Never stay where resurfacing is being done. 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 went to clean out the tub to take another shower myself and by just barely cleaning it a whole bunch of paint came off, like over a foot and I was just barely scrubbing! Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! We tried to open our window a bit. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Is that smell dangerous for children? Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. We have had a terrible experience. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. No one deserves to go through this heartache of losing a friend, due to a situation that could have easily been avoided. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. I dont know of incidents that may have occurred, buy you can never be too careful with peoples lives. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. I asked the doctors if they collect lifestyle information and report it to the government so correlations can be made about cause and effect they said no. thank you. *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. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Hover Image to Zoom. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. I had my tub reglazed recently. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. Can you give me any help in researching to determine if the polyurethane/acrylic finishes leaches? How Long Does It Take the Tub to Dry After Reglazing? Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. 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. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. CDC twenty four seven. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. Open the bathroom door and as many . This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. 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. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. (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. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. Weve added a resource to try and educate those who are using these processes and offered a number of safer alternatives to using substances other than methylene chloride here: http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Thanks for sharing. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. Wow! How Long Does Reglazing a Tub Last and How Does it Work I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. Why can strippers with this ingredient be sold to consumers in U.S. hardware stores that do _not_ sell the full-face air supplied respirators that should be worn while using it? 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). Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. I have 15 years experience with bathtub refinishing and stripping. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS I thought it would be a simple spray paint job. Do fumes from reglazing a bathtub/shower make an apartment very good and helpful post thanks to author. Its highly toxic Teri. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. I didnt think too much about it. Please let me know where to seek more information, particularly in the Australian climate? So we need extra care. 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. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. Thank you. This is poor. It smelled awful for days. 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. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? We do have pets and have young kids. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. All the tips in the post are great. There is an incredible amount of data The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. 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. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. Bathtub Reglazing Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself - TopKote I think they want things swept under the carpet. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. Or will we be ok?? refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. 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. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. 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. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. Of course I wont be using it for a good week or so just to be safe, but I dont even use bleach or Flash to clean my tub because of the chemicals getting into the bathwater; even rinsing thoroughly. Hello. 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. 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. Perhaps this us not the case. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. I think people always take safety for too lightly. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. 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. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions.