It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. 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. With just a day or two of work, reglazing the centerpiece of your bathroom with a durable coating and color is an easy way to give your tub a quick facelift without breaking the bank. Together we can make the nightmare of stripping bathtubs a thing of the past! It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. All comments posted become a part of the public domain, and users are responsible for their comments. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Perhaps this us not the case. Myown life was almost cut short stripping a bathtub and I was using the best Equipment money can buy but machinery or equipment can fail. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. 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. 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 also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? 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 didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. However no one is to blame, and no one is at fault. If methylene chloride was used to strip the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing (the focus of our blog), it is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. Hover Image to Zoom. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. 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. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. 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. 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 . We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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 are referring to paint strippers (which is what methylene Chloride is used for) one consideration would be using alternative methods, such as sanding. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. 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. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. I am older with heart disease and lung disease. Avoid or minimize spraying methylene chloride. I think this type of finish should be banned. Now what about substances that are used in bathtub refinishing as final top-coats such as Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane, or, another, as one company advertises: Porcelain Glaze-a new type of chemical finish. What is porcelain glaze? It is now peeling off. My friend was in the bathroom for only 4 minutes until his co workers had discovered him lying head first into the bathtub, still wearing proper mask and gloves both of which in good condition. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. This article does a good job calling attention to the dangers of methylene chloride products and noting that many people dont know how dangerous it is. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. 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. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. You should contact 911 and move to an area with fresh air (outside), or if possible open an window to let fresh air in. That is pretty serious stuff. Sometimes, it's less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if it's a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. Bathtub. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. thank you. If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. 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. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. Thanks! Ive spoken with many other tub resurfacing company owners and employees, and most of them do not use or even own full-face air-supplied respirators. Don't Replace, Renew | Surface Renew 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. She enjoyed improving discarded furniture, then selling it it was like art to her. 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. We do not have any information about the paint chips that are peeling off of your refinished bathtub. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers. We sure take a lot things for granted. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. 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. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. "[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. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. 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. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. 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. Thank you for sharing this useful information. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. How Long Does a Landlord Have to Fix a Plumbing Problem? The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. I think they want things swept under the carpet. 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. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Great information. Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. 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. The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. 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. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. 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. Thank you so much! His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. Apartments | Specialized Refinishing Co. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. /box. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. MC is not flammable on its own. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. It seemed like this article focused more on the concerns of MC and not ISO is there a follow up article that is just based on Isocyantes? Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. Thanks for your comment. Thank you for your comment. 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. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. 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. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. Does anyone know if I should be worried? I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? Not sure if it can come through the walls. 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. 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. I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. I have read many articles but this is different one. This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. Is that smell dangerous for children? 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. Any other surfaces in the vicinity of the tub should be covered in protective paper and drop cloths, and you should wait a day or two to remove everything and use your bathroom and tub. 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. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? Hello. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. 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. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. 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. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure such as you describe. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors.