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. I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. 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. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. It's a multi-step process that involves cleaning the tub thoroughly and sanding it to remove any soap scum or other particles, and repairing cracks or worn areasall of these imperfections will affect the quality and durability of the final finishing coat. A 2015 report by the Center for Public Integrity on U.S. deaths connected to methylene chloride noted that researchers have argued for 30 years that regulation of methylene chloride in the U.S. isnt strong enough to protect workers and that warnings on labels for consumers are insufficient. Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. This post was helpful to me too. Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. I have stripped hundreds of tubs. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. You can review and change the way we collect information below. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. We sure take a lot things for granted. Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. I think this type of finish should be banned. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . If methylene chloride is used, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated during the entire refinishing process. I never post anything anywhere. Open the bathroom door and as many . My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. Its a multi-step process that involves cleaning the tub thoroughly and sanding it to remove any soap scum or other particles, and repairing cracks or worn areasall of these imperfections will affect the quality and durability of the final finishing coat. Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. Ive read some incredible information in this article. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. Bathtub refinishing fumes are most certainly dangerous during the application process and immediate curing process. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. 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. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. 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. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. The only ventilation in the hours between the reglazing and now was provided by the slatted windows in the bathroom. But two days later it still bothers me. Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. Renewing is the affordable and fast alternative to replacing. 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. 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. Barely 3 days later I now have pluracy and bronchitis, i feel the building should be held responsible as we werent notified of the dangers. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. 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. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. I and my two other friends went to the hospital last night to say our goodbyes. Successful bathtub stripping with benzyl alcohol as an alternative to methylene chloride-based paint strippers I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Cristine. 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! In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. THANK YOU! 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. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! 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? In years past, when lead-based paints were used in various home applications, various studies showed that small children (toddlers) were known to ingest (eat) paint chips. It gives me hope to see that some commenters are specialists who are trying to recreate safer and more effective processes that will phase out use of this agent. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. I have 2 small kids and an infant. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. I had no choice but to return home. I hope the fumes and the tub return to a safe level. Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. print Print. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. Step 1: Set up the ventilation system. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. /box. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. 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. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. 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. They know where people bathe. Bathtub refinishing can be very dangerous indeed, I have seen many poorly trained so called bathtub refinishing specialists using dangerous chemicals to refinish bathtubs in peoples homes without the proper ventilation systems in place and without using the proper protective equipment necessary. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. I have asked for the list of chemicals they use but have not heard anything. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. This is in response to Chris concerning isocyanates use in coatings. 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. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. A fresh air system is critical. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. What is an escalation clause and what are the risks? 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 . *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. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. 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. Long-term exposure may cause cancer in humans. The nearby exterior door was open for ventilation and the overhead fan was blowing and although they had a pipe going from the bathroom down the hall and out the front door this was not sufficient. There is an incredible amount of data Provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and fresh makeup air to exhaust vapors released from the stripping agents in the bathtub. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? There is apparently limited research on this issue, but there are case studies of some children getting lead poisoning from bathing in an old bathtub that was leaching lead. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. Thank you for sharing this useful information. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. Thanks for your comment. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. Keep in mind that alternative products and other stripping agents may pose additional risks. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? If you are concerned about the smells, you could seek help from your local health department. And again, dont be afraid to ask. 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/. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. 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. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Ventilate Your Work Area. I had my bathtub refinished yesterday and the door to the bathroom had remained closed while the worker was doing the job. I have used this product recently on a tub used all the proper PPE and approved NIOSH mask and jump suit and I have tasted this awful taste in my mouth for a couple of days its been 2 weeks and I still kinda feel it in my chest. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys I already have cancer, my throat was raw and I had a headache. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. So glad I read this. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. Their cost is at least twice as expensive as Miracle Method refinishing and can take up to 3 to 4 weeks from ordering to installation. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Posts: 19. 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. 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. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. I think regulators should be aware of these dangers. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . Superior heavy duty Reglazing. 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. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. 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. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. We do have pets and have young kids. 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.

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