Wow! I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Surely the proper checks should be taken before the products leaves the factory. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. He was found unconscious minutes later and was rushed to the emergency room, several neuro tests where done and they all concluded the same thing.. Kevin had been brain dead before he was found on the job. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. However no one is to blame, and no one is at fault. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. They were wearing some gas mask type stuff while they were doing it, but I have noticed even after spraying the fumes were strong; and I was outside when they did this. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. I have read many articles but this is different one. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (, Moving to NYC after college? I am unknown form this . At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (read more about that here), and overall, is pleased with the results. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. If the chemical you are using is marked as flammable then you can be sure that it is not 100% MC. 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. Read more about our comment policy . 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. Thanks for your comment. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. Very good info. I would like to know. I had my tub reglazed recently. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. It is a less costly alternative to replacing a bathtub; however, the process often involves the use of hazardous chemicals including methylene chloride, acids, and isocyanates. 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. Contractors who handle bathtub refinishing or reglazing are well-versed in the health risks and OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Association) guidelines for risky jobs like these, making it an easy choice to bring in an expert for the task. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. If I had of done a little research I guess I would of been more informed. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. Open the bathroom door and as many . I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. The tub needs to go. I cannot replace the tub without it being a major, expensive remodel. THANK YOU! The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. The home I purchased a few years ago came with cast iron bathtub and ceramic tile walls that had been covered with a 2-step epoxy finish. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. keep blogging~! Thanks for telling us now. While NIOSH research and prevention efforts typically focus on workers, worker representatives and employers, the readers of this blog may be able to help us reach the do-it-yourself community who can face the same risks. Patrick. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. Thank you. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. Thanks so much for the info! I have been in hat business for 20 years. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? 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. 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. It is a less costly alternative to replacing a bathtub; however, the process often involves the use of hazardous chemicals including methylene chloride, acids, and isocyanates. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. print Print. So, if the concentration were over the PEL, for example at 50 ppm, the workers would exceed the 25 ppm average limit in 4 hours. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. on the dangers of isocyanates in coatings and application hazards. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. if we do we get evicted. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. Provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and fresh makeup air to exhaust vapors released from the stripping agents in the bathtub. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? $ 89 00. 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. very good and helpful post thanks to author. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. 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. (273) Questions & Answers (148) +3. Thank you for your comment. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. 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. Needless to say, I was shocked, I am taken aback by the statistics. 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. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. Thorough prep and and cleaning can preventbig headaches down the road. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? ive found a majority of the time the diy kits people use never adhere well. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. 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. 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. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Sometimes, you may need to refinish your bathtub which requires chemical coating with special kind of brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub. Always wear hand and eye protection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most professionals use alternative methods when possible. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. 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. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors. I worked at [Company name removed] for 14years. My cat and I were both really sick afterwards and my cat has now passed on.no one told us to go anywhere else, my cat was unable to be transported anyway and so was I since Im handicapped. I think there should be more regulation on access to such chemicals and certainly there should be stringent training laws in place when it comes to using such chemicals. We use MC (methylene chloride) in my furniture shop. Stay safe! Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. We are not familiar with the finishes you mention. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. There may also be substitute stripping products or methods however, please be aware that substitute stripping products may include other harmful chemicals or hazards, so use substitutes safely. Is that legal? 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. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Dear Mr. Ronald M. Hall, you probably save my life with this article! Animal studies have shown that exposure to methylene chloride may lead to liver and lung cancer, as well as tumors in the breast and salivary glands. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. I didnt think too much about it. That is a shocking statistic, At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. Is it safe to bath in especially for my toddler??? Bare minimum, the ventilation should meet some requirements, and homeowners should HAVE to LEAVE THE HOUSE for 3 days. You can review and change the way we collect information below. CDC twenty four seven. 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. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride (paint stripper) directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure.