I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. Hover Image to Zoom. Whenever respirators are required to be worn, the employer must establish and implement a complete respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of OSHAs Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), including proper selection, usage, training and medical surveillance (OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, February 2013, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2013-110 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-110/ ). Thanks. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. 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. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. Many post pictures but up close you cant see the brush strokes they leave behind. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. We cannot provide individual medical advice on the NIOSH Science Blog, but we suggest that you see a doctor. You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Thanks for this information. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure such as you describe. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). 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. No one deserves to go through this heartache of losing a friend, due to a situation that could have easily been avoided. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. I think people always take safety for too lightly. 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. Bathtub refinishing is a necessary maintenance step if you wish to improve the appearance and structural integrity of your tub. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. Its really awesome and very dangers take care guys Its like trying to paint a car yourself. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. The use of methylene chloride can be reduced significantly by professionals. The epoxy coatings used to finish bathtubs can also emit dangerous vapors such as isocyanates when sprayed. Perhaps this us not the case. As owner of a tub refinishing company we have moved away from polyurethane isocyanate systems years ago because of the hazards but, for educational purposes, we provide a dedicated page with links to various articles on our website explaining the dangers of isocyanate coating use in residential markets. We have had a terrible experience. (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 come back again this blog, any way i think My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. Refinishing a tub consists of applying a new chemical coating with a special brush or roller to an acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass, or cultured marble bathtub without removing the old layer first. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. The following recommendations on respirator use are in the NIOSH/OSHA Alert. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. 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. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). If the vapor smell continues and is persistent you should call a safety and health professional to evaluate the area. Methylene chloride, a chlorinated solvent, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet-smelling odor. If you've been considering a bathroom remodel, then replacing an older tub might just make sense. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? 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. After a few years, she was diagnosed with lung cancer (she never smoked) and died in 1999. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad, theyre dangerous if not dealt with properly. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. It is now peeling off. 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. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. 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. Thanks to those whoever posted this article. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and/or loved ones due to CM. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. You also want to keep shampoo bottles and other products off the surface, aswell as a mat with suction cups. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. NIOSH research and prevention efforts focus on worker risk, so we are not able to address this kind of exposure. We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. 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 . Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. I dont think I had the right mask on. I was researching because i just had a bad experience. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. 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 used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. 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? Your article has truly peaked my interest. *Note that there are reports that a fresh air system is . Provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and fresh makeup air to exhaust vapors released from the stripping agents in the bathtub. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? MC is not flammable on its own. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. I live in low income housing, a few years ago they said my tub need to be refinished. I myself am in the process of creating a technique that will eliminate the need for methylene chloride. ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? Thetoxic fumesreleased during the processnot only make your apartment smell bad. I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. We need to care when the baths are refinished. Methylene chloride, a new chlorinated solvent, is usually a risky, without color liquid having a sweet-smelling smell. This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. In February 2012, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to refinish a bathtub was found dead, slumped over a bathtub in an unventilated bathroom. Ive spoken with many other tub resurfacing company owners and employees, and most of them do not use or even own full-face air-supplied respirators. 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. Its staff and technicians from any and . Does anyone know if I should be worried? Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. Thank you for your comment. It was heart breaking. It has one small rust stain and is still moderately shiny. Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. My concern is whether it is safe to take long soaks in this tub. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. It got so strong it burned my throat and eyes. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. Bathtub refinishing is also known as reglazing, or resurfacing. I used this kit 6 weeks ago. keep blogging~! Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. I have been refinishing tubs for 23 years. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. The second method uses no chemical stripper but relies instead on scraping and mechanical sanding to remove bathtub finishes. I cant tell you how many times Ive told others in the field that are doing this to make sure they have more ventilation and to remove or re-coat the tube out of the bathroom and to at least not to do it without the proper breathing apparatus. 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. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. Ya, very helpful articles are posted. The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. Things just happen and when its our time to go, we go. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Wow this is kinda hard to believe that even a thing such as messing with a bathtub can be so dangerous. Bathtub Reglazing Experts. Is there any danger that the enamel could have absorbed the refinishing chemicals to be released into my bath water at this later date? Technicians have been properly trained to do this type of work. A bathtub in our old home was reglazed a few weeks ago. I have stripped hundreds of tubs. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. 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. Publication number 81-8c-2013. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. 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 Your blog has provided useful information for the work. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. 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? I didnt realize this was so deadly. Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. I have 2 small kids and an infant. I didnt think too much about it. Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. Thanks for sharing. She her nextwalked over to-door neighbor's apartment, where a team weari ng respirators was refinishi ng the bathroom with a spray-on resurfacing material and a chemical accelerator. The prep is the most important part of the job, says White. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. 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. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. 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. Thank you for your comment. I think this type of finish should be banned. What are the governing bodies that oversee these applications? Posts: 19. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. 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? We are not familiar with the finishes you mention. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. Agree with your perspective. We understand the importance of protecting ourselves, the environment and most importantly our customers. It is often referred to as dichloromethane and has many industrial uses, such as paint stripping, metal cleaning, and degreasing. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. A fresh air system is critical. I cannot replace the tub without it being a major, expensive remodel. Provided your surface was prepped correctly, you can expect your reglazed tub and/or tile to be good for about seven to 10 years, and the more you take care of it, the longer it will last. This research only focused on worker methylene chloride exposures during bathtub refinishing. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator.