Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. I have tried a couple of my wifes lotions to easy the burning, which has only made it worse.. any suggestion on what to take the stinging away.. 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. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. Bathtub. theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. It was not adequately explained and we should have asked more questions. Our beloved pet went into respiratory failure the next day, was rushed to the ER and spent three nights in the veterinarian ICU. Agree with your perspective. A bathtub replacement can cost around $2,900 on average and may add value to your property. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. Methylene chloride cannot be smelled until the level in the air is higher than OSHAs permissible exposure limits (PELs). Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. $ 89 00. Bathtub Refinishing matters should be left to professionals to complete. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. The Perfect Drying Conditions You should let the tub surface to cure for 24 to 48 hours. After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. 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/. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. Bathtub Reglazing Los Angeles CA | Fiberglass Porcelain Refinishing 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. I have been in hat business for 20 years. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. I have never thought of this before! Cristine. 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. Always check product labels and safety data sheets to understand the recommended and required precautions. We do have pets and have young kids. Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. Its better not to use methylene chloride for the safety of everybody. Not sure if it can come through the walls. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. How do I know if this is toxic? A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. Thanks! I went outside after he was finished. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. If they continue, you should consult your doctor. Delivered to your inbox twice weekly - for free. We are inconsolable. Finding a Miracle Method office. Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. Is the Bathtub Reglazing Odor Terrible? Learn About the Bathtub There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. Tub Cast Ekopel 2K Bathtub Refinishing Kit - Made In The USA - Odorless 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. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. 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. 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. Thanks! I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. 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. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? Thanks for your comment. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. It was heart breaking. I know this because the epoxy finish began peeling away within a couple months of daily use. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. 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. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. Thanks for sharing. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Bathtub Refinishing Fumes - How To Protect Yourself - EzineArticles I cannot replace the tub without it being a major, expensive remodel. After doing research on reglazing chemicals typically used for bathtubs, we found that it's strongly suggested to (1) not be in the home for at least 48 hours after the reglazing and (2) that leaving windows open is not enough, but you must bring in some kind of ventilation gear such as hurricane fans or powered tubing to clear the area out . But I keep on hitting dead ends. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. I wish I discovered this post a few weeks earlier. You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. It smelled awful for days. Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! Thanks so much for the info! In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. 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. 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. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. 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 Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. I am unknown form this . 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. Bathtub Reglazing Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself - TopKote 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. If youre nervous, leaving your apartment for the duration of the job is always an option. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. Dear Mr. Ronald M. Hall, you probably save my life with this article! It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. I never post anything anywhere. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. Methyl chloride has high vapor pressure, meaning that it evaporates extremely quickly and turns into gas that can easily be inhaled, especially in a small bathroom that may not be adequately ventilated. Thank you for sharing this useful information. How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC? My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. 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. And, are there any substances that are dangerous and can later leach into bath water and be absorbed by the skin? The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Thank you for the great information. Thanks. 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. 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. Now Im cleaning up the interior; its not in terrible condition, but it has a few chips and the surface is not as smooth as Id like. Karma: 3. 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 had my tub reglazed recently. We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. Im 70 and have no place to go except my apartment. This may sound extreme, but I assure you, neglect to safety is not worth the life of a co worker, family member, or in my case a best friend. Just trying to speak up for low income and maybe other apartment dwellers too. Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. Posts: 19. I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. I had no problems with it and thought they knew what they were doing as it happens all the time here. I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. Is Bathtub Refinishing Safe? | Tub Reglazing Fumes & Safety - Angi It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. And again, dont be afraid to ask. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. IT IS REALLY VERY HELPFUL FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR POST BECAUSE IT IS VERY USEFUL FOR ME AS WELL. Bathtub refinishing is amazing. 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. If proper ventilation is not possible, there needs to be a supervisor on watch in the room, or at least directly outside the door, ready to open immediately if the worker inside does not verbally respond to continuous 30 second verbal safety checks. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. 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 Is that legal? Then, remove any cover plates, drain plugs and bathtub spouts. 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. There are alternatives to using methylene chloride (MC) for bathtub stripping. Thanks for the post on this. 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. This is in Australia. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? 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. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. I have read reglazing tub reviews where a few customers couldn't take the scent while others had no issue with the bathtub reglazing odor. 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. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. 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. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. 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. 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)). Overwhelming toxic fumes from renovations on a neighbor's apartment I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. 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. Thanks if you reply. In workers with heart disease, an increase in carbon monoxide may lead to early onset heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky His go-to isScrubbing Bubbles. Thanks for your comment. 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. Our apartment filled with these toxic fumes. The first method uses a benzyl alcohol-based stripper as an alternative to MC and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)-based chemical strippers. Ron, I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. You can refinish a tub yourself if youre a true DIY-er, but the new finish can look painted or different than the original color or texture. 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. Is it dangerous to any or all of us? Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. 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. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. I usually like to do things myself, but I think I will have to find someone to do my bathtub repair in concord ma. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. HOPING THE SAME FINEST OPERATE IN THE UP COMING DAYS ALSO. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. Very interesting. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. Resurfacing with "Noxious Fumes" - Apartment Ideas - Multifamily Insiders The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. 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. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any THANK YOU! Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention.