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. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub.
PDF Acute Lung Disease from Bathtub Refinishing - University of California Im a Painting Contractor in Anchorage, Alaska and this is a really good post for me to see! We do have pets and have young kids. Great amazing blog post I really love such lovely blog posts. Need professional help with your project? Thanks for sharing. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. I just bought this old house that has this beautiful tub if only it can get restored back to new. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. I opted in for your Feed too. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. A fresh air system is critical. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. I would concenr it to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. Thank you for the great information. print Print. Since Bathtub Refinishing can also be a consumer issue, another potential resource is Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au. 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). This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home.
Myths About Bathtub Refinishing | Specialized Refinishing Co. Hello my name is Kris I amthe owner at Tub Klass NJ. He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. Bathtub stripping vapors must be taken seriously. Fumes associated with bathtub stripping chemicals have taken the lives of those that did not follow the warnings on the product. 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. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? I would really like some reassurance. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. Its thick, full-seal coating restores tub surfaces to a "like new" bright gloss. Wow! And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. I am Gary Goel owner of the Professional Bathtub Refinishers Association.
Is Bathtub Refinishing Safe? | Tub Reglazing Fumes & Safety - Angi Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. I am thankful to those who began to get the word out to the general public, you have certainly saved lives by doing so.
Resurfacing with "Noxious Fumes" - Apartment Ideas - Multifamily Insiders But I keep on hitting dead ends. Thank you.
Dangers of Bathtub Refinishing | Blogs | CDC Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? We have had a terrible experience. Obviously, I would have paid any price to do this rather than suffer these sad consequences. I just rented a housing association flat with an unsightly, badly marked tub. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. I smelled that horrible smell for nearly 3 weeks after he was doneeven my cigarette smoke couldnt compete. 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 . Its either not portable or cost prohibitive.
Should you refinish, reglaze or replace your bathtub? - Today The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. Thank you! Remove the overflow plate from the tub and begin the caulk removal stage.Start by removing the caulk around the tub where it meets the tile surround. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? I am unknown form this . Step 1: Remove Tub Hardware Shut off the water supply to your tub and drain any water from the line before you begin. 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). They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. During the entire refinishing process, the room should be adequately ventilated to protect workers. My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General Always wear hand and eye protection. The fumes were in her room not mine, i didnt know until i opened the door, we had put on the fan origionally for the smell, fumes came full blown after. So, once workers can smell methylene chloride they are already being overexposed. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? (273) Questions & Answers (148) +3. The toxins became so concentrated in a short period of time due to lack if ventilation and confined space. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. My puppy also is constantly licking the floor. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). NYC Renovation Chronicles: 5 ways to save on your bathroom renovation, Renovating a co-op? thank you so much. Products with these types of known harmful ingredients must require special labeling with clearer health and safety warnings for users. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. This is in Australia. The coating and sanding are done alternatively. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. Thank you for sharing this useful information. Great Post i appreciate this thanks for sharing this post . thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. You may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. 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/. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. 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. 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. Our beloved pet went into respiratory failure the next day, was rushed to the ER and spent three nights in the veterinarian ICU. I am sleeping in the living room under many blankets with the balcony door wide openis it safe? Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. 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. It is really shocking that stripping agents contrain toxic elements in them. I attempt to lead a very clean life and avoid many commercial products (body care products, cleaning products, sprays etc). There are bathtub refinishing companies out there, [company name removed] are using safe processes for refinishing your bathtub, you just have to ask the tough questions. 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. 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. Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. This is poor. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. I figure if its being done, it must be safe, or why else would people do it? Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. That is really great to know. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. 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. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. You get enough toxic chemicals in your daily life without adding additional products that harm you by breathing its toxic fumes or being absorbed into your skin. 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 have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. Its good to know that if you have your bathtub reglazed, you much have proper ventilation. 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. I have an article on my site entitled Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous. Melissa. 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. I certainly will be approaching this much differently. Thanks for the post on this. 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. Thanks! If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. Opening windows and moving away from areas with vapors can decrease or stop continued exposure. Most tubs can be reglazed if they are not overly damaged, but the process is generally recommended for steel, cast iron, or fiberglass tubs. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Don't Replace, Renew | Surface Renew Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. Even a tiny bit?
Is the Bathtub Reglazing Odor Terrible? Learn About the Bathtub I refer to this CDC article a few times a month when answering questions from customers. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. The past three days have been the hardest in my entire life. Contractors who handle bathtub refinishing or reglazing are well-versed in the health risks and OSHA (the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Association) guidelines for risky jobs like these, making it an easy choice to bring in an expert for the task. Is that legal? Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. I manage a home related business in Australia and we are often exposed to applications that we are unsure of what dangers we could be exposed to. 22 oz. He did it 6 years ago when we moved in. Why can strippers with this ingredient be sold to consumers in U.S. hardware stores that do _not_ sell the full-face air supplied respirators that should be worn while using it? Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. I use all chemical-free products to clean, and cannot use otherwise or it affects me. Because this process, which involves spraying a new topcoat on your existing tub and/or tile, is significantly cheaper, easier, cleaner, and less time-consuming than actually replacing a tub. 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. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. We had maintenance workers come by and resurface it earlier this week, but they did not properly ventilate the chemical smell and the stench is still there. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. (Removing a tub and installing a new one can cost thousands, and if youre in an apartment building, it might even require getting your downstairs neighbor involved as it may impact plumbing beyond your apartment. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. 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. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. I've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed.
9 Easy Steps to Refinish Your Bathtub | Lowe's Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. I usually like to do things myself, but I think I will have to find someone to do my bathtub repair in concord ma. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. Read more about our comment policy . After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Not sure if it can come through the walls. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it.
Fatal Exposure to Methylene Chloride Among Bathtub Refinishers United It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. Never stay where resurfacing is being done. 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 can ask questions and be well-informed. thank you. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. If safety is not enough to discourage the DIY Kits then maybe aesthetics will. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. if we do we get evicted. I also had diarrhea several times this morning. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished.