However, we have shared the findings of this work and made recommendations to manufacturers and with agencies that may have regulatory/legal authority, including those with oversight beyond the workplace. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. Its staff and technicians from any and . Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. However, you need to keep these essential health and safety considerations in mind whether you hire a contractor to refinish your tub or do it yourself. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. Thank for sharing about bathtub refinishing. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS 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 . The bathroom was small, and the door was closed due to restricted access to the bathtub. Even a tiny bit? Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. We do not have any information about leaching of polyurethane/acrylic bathtub finishing. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? After collecting these samples following the NIOSH analytical method the samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. I have actually replaced a dead refinisher who has lossed his life stripping a bathtub. Find them at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General Liners can leak and create mold problems. How Long Does a Landlord Have to Fix a Plumbing Problem? Air-purifying respirators are not permitted due to the short service life of chemical cartridges when used for methylene chloride exposure. CDR Hall is the Deputy Branch Chief of the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology. Keep up the good work! These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any Since methylene chloride is a volatile organic compound that will evaporate faster when sprayed, brushed, or poured, the chemical vapors can quickly build up in small spaces. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. Extraction during the process is everything. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. Dust masks do not protect you from bathtub refinishing vapors. I have 3 kids in a tiny apt in Brooklyn. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Thanks for sharing. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. 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. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. He wore proper equipment, however ventilation was not adequate. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. Reglazing involves stripping off the previous coating and sanding down the tub. Thanks for this information. I had my tub reglazed recently. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. 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/. Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. 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. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. The two maintenance men pulled the man off of the tub. So glad I read this. 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. 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. We were told when we did it that it only lasts about five years and I'm finding that to betrue, she says. Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. Bathtub. Thank you for the great information. Moreover, because methylene chloride evaporates quickly (it has a high vapor pressure), vapors can collect in the bottom of a bathtub and in the workers breathing zone when working in the bathtub. Traditional Spray Paint Style Refinishing has certain inherent dangers that you should be aware of. Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. Perhaps this us not the case. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! This study is great for warning against the potential dangers. Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. Ive read some incredible information in this article. Tenant and all occupants in the apartment hereby release Bathtub Refinishing and Fiberglass Expert. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. Wow! Thank you. 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. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. NIOSH analytical method 1001 is typically used to sample for methylene chloride in a workers breathing zone. Everything You Need to Know About Bathtub Refinishing Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. Acid is then applied to deglaze the tub and/or tile, followed by a bonding agent or primer, and finally, a urethane topcoat is applied. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. 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. It is definitely a good idea to ventilate the area as much as possible to remove the residual vapors. 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. Overwhelming toxic fumes from renovations on a neighbor's apartment Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. Dont do it if you have to stay in your home immediately after. Exposure to as little as six ounces of methylene chloride-based material has been enough to cause death. More needs to be done to protect the workers!. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers, http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Pubs/#General, http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA, http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00, https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html, http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-apartments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. very useful post thanks for giving this bath tub repair information. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. Any other surfaces in the vicinity of the tub should be covered in protective paper and drop cloths, and you should wait a day or two to remove everything and use your bathroom and tub. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. They know where people bathe. This post was helpful to me too. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. Or should I leave? Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. I have learned some incredible information in this report. 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. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. http://retrorenovation.com/2016/05/02/understanding-potential-lead-hazards-old-porcelain-enamel-bathtubs-sinks-ceramic-tile-any-age/#ixzz47UvHcM00. Its either not portable or cost prohibitive. OSHAs Methylene Chloride standard (29 CFR 1910.1052) requires employers to test the air to determine the concentration of methylene chloride present in the air when a product containing methylene chloride is used (29 CFR 1910.1052(d)). 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)). If they continue, you should consult your doctor. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. Located at [http://www.refinishersonline.com] and I helped in two the studies before this report was finalized. Whether your tub is refinished or reglazed depends on whether or not the old coating was removed before putting a new layer of epoxy or another coating. It feels toxic, but no one has instructed me to leave, so am I to assume that I am safe? 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. The Centers for Disease Control has more information on lead hazards on their web site. Is the Bathtub Reglazing Odor Terrible? Learn About the Bathtub We always use full-face air-supplied masks and full protective gloves in order to get the job done correctly AND safely. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any Ive also learned that without experience or training, what may be simple in concept is often the opposite in practice. Is that dangerous as well? I wish I had read this blog before the procedure.