Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride (paint stripper) directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. I just rented a house. Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. PDF BATHTUB REFINISHING AND FIBERGLASS EXPERT - Reglazing Los Angeles print Print. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. Please do not use a torch either The fumes will kill use. I have 3 kids in a tiny apt in Brooklyn. Pre-leasing now launched at 595 Dean St., the newest rental development in Brooklyn's vibrant Prospect Heights, The roommate dilemma: It's much more expensive to rent an apartment in NYC all by yourself now. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. I went outside after he was finished. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. 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. It was heart breaking. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. I have so many friends that are a part of DIY pages that encourage individuals to attempt these kinds of projects on their own, unknowingly knowing some of the real dangers. Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. In order to assess learn more about the products that are being used for the re-glazing, assess the air quality of your apartment, prevent exposure or remediate any hazards, seek assistance from the building owner or manager. Thanks! Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. 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. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. 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. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. /box. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. 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. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. 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. 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. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. A fresh air system is critical. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. 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. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. 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. Gerda. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. I am all for saving money and dont wish to come off like I dont appreciate the effort but if your already saving $5000 why not let a pro do it. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. Its the very first time I call at your blog, however was very impressed. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. I myself am in the process of creating a technique that will eliminate the need for methylene chloride. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. How to Refinish A Bathtub - DIY Bathtub Refinishing We are a BBB Certified Resurfacing company located in Houston, Texas. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? Right now, I am surrounded by vacant apartments, and the new owner is reglazing all of the tubs. I have no experience in this type of work, my day job is a guidance counselor, but I started thinking about how we might prevent these fatalities from happening going forward, if using MC. Do fumes from reglazing a bathtub/shower make an apartment I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. Great information. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. Thats perhaps the number one reason trying to DIY it is not advisable (kits are available, but just leave it to the professionals). According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. Concessions return to the NYC rental market as recession fears slow leasing activity, The pros and cons of buying a penthouse apartment, Racism and the lack of diversity in the appraisal business, Making sense of the NYC real estate market with Jonathan Miller, The Brick Underground Podcast: Predators in the NYC rental market, with Hannah Levintova from Mother Jones, The Brick Underground Podcast: Protecting against fire and floods in your NYC apartment, The Brick Underground Podcast: Finding a deal as NYC landlords pull concessions and raise rents, The Brick Underground Podcast: Trading your NYC apartment for a cheap(er) vacation. Please respond quickly. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. We need to care when the baths are refinished. It hurt to know he was no longer mentality or livingly present with us in that room. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. 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. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. 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. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says. We can ask questions and be well-informed. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. HOPING THE SAME FINEST OPERATE IN THE UP COMING DAYS ALSO. 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. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). 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. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Frequently Asked Questions - Bathtub Refinishing - Miracle Method I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. 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. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. Provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and fresh makeup air to exhaust vapors released from the stripping agents in the bathtub. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. Bathtub. I am thankful that I found this article before I made a final decision on whether or not to purchase a DIY kit for my tub interior. So glad I read this. This is a great article. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. When selecting a PID care must be taken to make sure that the instrument is equipped with a lamp that has the ionization potential necessary to detect methylene chloride (11.7 eV lamp). Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). And again, dont be afraid to ask. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. I dont think I had the right mask on. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. (273) Questions & Answers (148) +3. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. 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. theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. a great article! It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors. 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 . Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? Last night I went to bed with a headache, then vomited on and off throughout the night. 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. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. Im a Painting Contractor in Anchorage, Alaska and this is a really good post for me to see! 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/. 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? Thank you for your comment. 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/. $ 89 00. If the area is poorly ventilated (which is common in bathrooms) or the person doing the work isnt wearing the appropriate protective gear, they could stop breathing, or worsemethyl chloride has an effect similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. Changing up your tub is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget, Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. Thanks for your comment. I found out the hard way. "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. Is that dangerous as well? Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. Instead, many homeowners have the existing tub reglazed or refinished, which typically costs $300-$600, depending on the area and process. 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. 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. The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. There were 13 Fatal Exposures to Methylene Chloride Paint Strippers Among Bathtub Refinishers in the last decade. (Centers for Disease Control) Not to mention those who experience unexplained symptoms that go undiagnosed that may also be caused from these dangerous bathtub refinishing and paint stripping chemicals. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. 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. I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. 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. It is now peeling off. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. After most fumes and smell went away two days later i still had muscle pain and spasms all over, headache, very sick and weak, skin burned and stung, could feel it in my lungs. No one deserves to go through this heartache of losing a friend, due to a situation that could have easily been avoided. If your bathtub is on the older side, then youll need to determine whether its worthwhile to refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. Melissa. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. However no one is to blame, and no one is at fault. There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. Open the bathroom door and as many . I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. Bathtub Reglazing Los Angeles CA | Fiberglass Porcelain Refinishing The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. The product they used is from Napco and is supposed to a lot less toxic than other products. My friend was left to work alone in the small enclosed space, with out supervision. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. Very interesting. After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? We sure take a lot things for granted. The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. Step 2: Clean the Tub Thoroughly Step 3: Protect Areas Around the Tub Step 4: Remove the Glaze Step 5: Sand the Surface Step 6: Prep the Surface for Glaze Application You can review and change the way we collect information below. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. CDC twenty four seven. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. 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. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. AND DURING CLEANING. While a new tub can cost as little as $150, labor expenses for the replacement process can easily add $1,500 or more to the bill. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). Moreover, because methylene chloride evaporates quickly (it has a high vapor pressure), vapors can collect in the bottom of a bathtub and in the workers breathing zone when working in the bathtub. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency provides general information and resources on indoor air quality in apartments, see https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. This is in Australia. THANK YOU! Very good info. Not sure if it can come through the walls. PDF Acute Lung Disease from Bathtub Refinishing - University of California Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? Im not familiar with the Australian occupational health and safety system but you might want to start with Safe Work Australia http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA . 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. Hello. Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. Its staff and technicians from any and . Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! Tub Cast Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit - Made In The USA - Odorless Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. All comments posted become a part of the public domain, and users are responsible for their comments. 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)). Is that legal? Its like trying to paint a car yourself. If they continue, you should consult your doctor. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Why? I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Thanks for sharing. It can and will save your life. It is unsafe that s why we recomendto contact a professional to stripit for you. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. Thanks for your comment. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. We have for years been trying to come up with a Stripper that will remove Epoxy DIY kits that do not have the Methylene Chloride but time is an issue.