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. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. 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. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS I live in Newark housing and I have been there for 11 years and every 9 months they have to paint the tub and I have to stay in the house after they paint it and it keeps messing up can you tell me what should I do. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. OSHAs Methylene Chloride standard (29 CFR 1910.1052) requires employers to test the air to determine the concentration of methylene chloride present in the air when a product containing methylene chloride is used (29 CFR 1910.1052(d)). Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. We face inspections every year where lots of tubs are refinished in this building.but no precautions are ever taken to protect the residents and their animals. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. Please respond quickly. 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. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. What is this stuff? At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. A fresh air system is critical. 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. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. Publication number 81-8c-2013. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. 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. 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. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride (paint stripper) directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. This post was helpful to me too. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. You should contact 911 and move to an area with fresh air (outside), or if possible open an window to let fresh air in. I myself am in the process of creating a technique that will eliminate the need for methylene chloride. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. I have never thought of this before! She refinished furniture in our garage. 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. If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. 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. ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the resident and pets after the project is completed. AND DURING CLEANING. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? 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. Thank for speaking about about tub refinishing. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? I am Gary Goel owner of the Professional Bathtub Refinishers Association. I had my bathroom resurfaced including the bathtub 4 weeks ago. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. Thanks 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. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. 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 such a helpful information. I would also like to issue one other caveat. Its worth looking into how long a company has been in business andits rating with the Better Business Bureau to get a sense of their track record before commissioning a job. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. 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. THANK YOU! Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. Or will we be ok?? I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. Open the bathroom door and as many . 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. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. Cristine. Bathtub refinishing fumes are most certainly dangerous during the application process and immediate curing process. Tub and tile were original to the 1957 home and were actually not in bad shape. The guy who came to do tub had a fancy breathing mask that covered his whole face and tubes attached to his belt I was concerned when I saw the precautions he took but said it was no problem. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. "[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. 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)). Bathtub refinishing is very risky. Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. print Print. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. The restrictions on placing on the market and use is a consequence of many incidents with lethal outcome. The past three days have been the hardest in my entire life. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. There is a lot of toxicological information available on the Internet which can be found by joining the term MSDS with as specific a description of the product about which you are interested in knowing. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. We use MC (methylene chloride) in my furniture shop. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. Thanks! I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. Works on all types of surfaces. If this could be dangerous, government should put strict in purchasing this kind of toxic to avoid casualties for workers and even consumers. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? Adults? 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. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Its highly toxic Teri. 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. We pride ourselves on the work we do and strive to provide the best quality service in the refinishing and resurfacing industry. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. I and my two other friends went to the hospital last night to say our goodbyes. Always wear hand and eye protection. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Not sure if it can come through the walls. $ 89 00. MC is not flammable on its own. Traditional methods used for detecting methylene chloride involve air sampling pumps (calibrated at the desired air flow) and a sampling train with charcoal tubes as the collection media for methylene chloride. Agree with your perspective. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. Thanks for your comment. I have been home for about 3 hours now with every window and balcony open and these posts are freaking me out! 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. What's the difference between jumbo and conforming loans? It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? OSHA has regulations that sets a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 parts per million (ppm) as a time-weighted average (TWA) exposure over an 8-hour work shift. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. That is really great to know. 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. Thank you. An expert starts by sanding down the tub's. 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. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. I stripped the lead paint off the outside of an old cast iron tub using a low-VOC paint stripper suitable for lead paint, and then primed and painted the exterior. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. We sure take a lot things for granted. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers 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. That is pretty serious stuff. 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 tub needs to go. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. 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. I have blocked the drain over night but it did not eliminate the smell. 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. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. 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. We're starting to see chipped areasThey're more in the tub than on the walls. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. 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. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. Thank you for your comment. While bathtub refinishing is one I havent tried, I do know that in-home work with many types of cleaners, paints and strippers and adhesives is always going to be a concern due to poor air circulation indoors, and sometimes outdoors too. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. I think people always take safety for too lightly. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. Great information. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. Even if you hire a professional, let the area air out and keep it ventilated after the work is complete until you can no longer detect any unusual or chemical odors. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. 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 . Thanks! 22 oz. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. Thats perhaps the number one reason trying to DIY it is not advisable (kits are available, but just leave it to the professionals). Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. 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. 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. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. 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. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. Or should I leave? Thanks. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so. Scratching the tub would not release any methylene chloride vapors. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. The use of a respirator scrubber mask (gas mask) isnt complete protection. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. 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. 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. Thanks for your comment. I opted in for your Feed too. 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 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. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? In our blog we state that methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). I did not realize how strong the chemical is, and now I am concerned about any (however microscopic) of this leeching into my bathwater and onto my skin. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). Thanks for sharing. Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. I think they want things swept under the carpet. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. Now its already peeling. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate 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. We need to care when the baths are refinished. (Airoldi'scontractor brought a fan and blew air out the bathroom window, and she was home during the job, but didn't find the smell intolerable.). I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. As a result, most tenants moved. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. Effective ventilation would have to be ensured in order to shield the worker from toxic fumes of the process. My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. 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. 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? Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. Hello Thanks for the post on this. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? After reading this post I think I can live with those scratches until I can hire a professional. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. I had no choice but to return home. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! 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). 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. Posts: 19. I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. UNTIL RE-GLAZED? 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. The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Thanks! 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. 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. 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. Very good info. 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. Some healthcare providers specialize in assessing environmental exposures (see http://www.aoec.org/index.htm). 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. God bless you! Why? I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. I stayed home all day, working around the house because there were two workers and didnt want to leave strangers in my home. Our research focused on worker exposures from methylene chloride during the process of stripping the old paint off of the tub prior to refinishing. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. 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/.