The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Dear Mr. Ronald M. Hall, you probably save my life with this article! When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! 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. I have been in hat business for 20 years. If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. 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. Bathtub Reglazing Experts. I wonder if it healthy & ok to use the tub for baths after a certain period of tome (days?). Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. 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. Or will we be ok?? A person directly outside the door and 30 seconds could have saved our best friends life. Thanks for telling us now. 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. I have read many articles but this is different one. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. 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). 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. This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. It seemed like this article focused more on the concerns of MC and not ISO is there a follow up article that is just based on Isocyantes? Is it dangerous to any or all of us? 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. We are inconsolable. I stripped the two sinks using a chisel and a heat gun. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . My friend was in the bathroom for only 4 minutes until his co workers had discovered him lying head first into the bathtub, still wearing proper mask and gloves both of which in good condition. Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? I only use stripper when absolutely necessary. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Quite naive of me. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Thanks for your comment. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. I found out the hard way. In September 2011, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to strip the glaze from a bathtub collapsed in the bathtub and later died. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. Open the bathroom door and as many . Not worth it. 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. 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. When I smell the tiles I can not smell anything but with my nose close to the bathtub I can smell a sweetish sour chemical smell. 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. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . They know where people bathe. What to know about adding skylights to your NYC brownstone or apartment, How to evaluate different types of NYC contractor bids when you're renovating, New Yorkers moving out of state save more money on housing than taxes, 5 houses for sale in Margaretville, NY, a small town in the Catskills, 5 houses for sale in Sagaponack, the most expensive zip code in NY. I stayed home all day, working around the house because there were two workers and didnt want to leave strangers in my home. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. Its highly toxic Teri. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Extraction during the process is everything. And again, dont be afraid to ask. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. Rents an apartment with ventilation that mixes with neighbors and brings odors from adjacent apartments, Was subjected to highly toxic fumes from maintenance being performed on a neighboring apartment Suffered from effects of those fumes, and nearly succumbing to them Some refinishing products may last longer than others, as with professional-grade finishers and DIY kits. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride (paint stripper) directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. I dont think I had the right mask on. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? 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. All the tips in the post are great. You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Is it safe to stay???? 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 took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. 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. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. 22 oz. One of the significant risks of refinishing a bathtub is exposure to methylene chloride or dichloromethane, which strips the tub and removes the previous glaze or finish. He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. The fumes are strong in the bathroom so I have the bathroom door closed, vent on. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. A fresh air system is critical. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. Keep up the good work! Thank you for your comment. 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. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. 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. This is in Australia. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Thank you for this post. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. AND DURING CLEANING. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. This may be less of a danger than with old lead-based paints, but something to be aware of. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. I opted in for your Feed too. (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.). 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. They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. But if we get together as a group of experienced bathtub refinishers I am positive that we can come up with a simple solution that will keep us safe. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. He also had a small fan in the bathroom window to remove the fumes, as well as towels on the floor to prevent odors from coming into the living area. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Look for an alternative to do the bathtub refinishing. Im positing now with the hope it may influence one decision. 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. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. a great article! Does anyone know if I should be worried? Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. Refinishing a bathtub is a fraction of the cost to replace your bathtub (around $2,900), so if youre at all hesitant about your DIY skills, hiring a pro is a somewhat small price to pay for your health and safety. I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Thank you for your comment. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. Please respond quickly. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. Bathtub refinishing fumes are most certainly dangerous during the application process and immediate curing process. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. I regret it so much! Thank you for your comment. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. These instruments are non-specific and will measure other VOCs present in the area in addition to methylene chloride. My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. Patrick. We do not tread lightly, so I think we are a good example to work off of in terms of durability., Of the overall aesthetic, particularly the walls, she says: If you look closely, it's a little weird as you see the indent of the grout lines, but it's all one texture. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. But two days later it still bothers me. That is really great to know. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. Your local health department may be able to provide assistance. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. An apartment maintenance man entered the apartment to look for the man and found him behind the closed bathroom door, unresponsive, and slumped over the tub. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. NIOSH has not evaluated isocyanates exposure among bathtub refinishers but products containing isocyanates should also be handled with care. When the door is closed for a while it gets very strong and when its open one can hardly smell it but that does not mean it is not there. Now what about substances that are used in bathtub refinishing as final top-coats such as Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane, or, another, as one company advertises: Porcelain Glaze-a new type of chemical finish. What is porcelain glaze? Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. That is pretty serious stuff. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . The blog is not designed to provide personal medical or emergency information. NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? Your email address will not be published. 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). Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. 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. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Thanks for your comment. 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. 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. The fumes had traveled through the vent into her adjacent room. But I keep on hitting dead ends. 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. If you are considering refinishing your bathtub or shower, click on Find a Location or call our toll free locator number, 1-888-271-7690 . It is now peeling off. When there is not a properly designed local exhaust ventilation system to remove vapors, the workers should have used full-face supplied-air respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process.