How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment 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. We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. Bathtub Reglazing Los Angeles CA | Fiberglass Porcelain Refinishing I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. 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. It was heart breaking. Its highly toxic Teri. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. Thank you. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. I think they want things swept under the carpet. I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. I did not use any safety precautions, but I was in the garage with a fan and the garage door opened. If the job is not done right it starts to peel, he says. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. We have absolutely no ventilation in our apartment. Brooklyn resident Emily Gilbert had her familys tub and part of the bathroom wall reglazed four-and-a-half years ago (read more about that here), and overall, is pleased with the results. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. Ill mention it to my readers on my real estate site. 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 have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. Bathtub. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. These chemicals are no joke and need to be taken seriously. However, products are more dangerous when they are sweet smelling, and as your article states your are already exposed once you smell it. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? 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. You should ask the installer to check that the product was applied correctly. She is the recipient of two awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors for interior design and service journalism. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. Second tub went smoother because I had a window to open for air circulation. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. Hover Image to Zoom. My best friend was killed two days ago due to over exposure while cleaning a bath tub. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. Hello. This is in Australia. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. ), [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 the great information. Are these chemicals only toxic while being applied, or can they still be harmful later as used? 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. My question is, am I in danger using the peeling bathtub??? Her writing on New York City, parenting, events, and culture has also appeared in Parents, Red Tricycle, BizBash, and Time Out New York. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. The fact of the matter is that using a professional that is trained and well-versed in the safety measures of bathtub refinishing; is critical, and can not only protect the owners of the property, but those performing the job! Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. 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. 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. If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! If your bathtub is on the older side, then youll need to determine whether its worthwhile to refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Usually coatings can be removed with a good razor scraper.sure it takes longer but it keeps me from using more harmful chemicals. What a Useful Post and great shared to Plumbing Service, Thanks author your Awesome tropic and Excellent Content. Earlier this week NIOSH and OSHA released a joint Hazard Alert titled Methylene Chloride Hazards for Bathtub Refinishers. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. NIOSH work in this area only pertains to workers exposed when using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Thank you for this post. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. Almost every technical field has harmful effects but its on the company or professional person that how they can deal with it. I have one side of my nose feeling congested and post nasal drip and a headache. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. Those DIY kits are not cutting it. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. In years past, when lead-based paints were used in various home applications, various studies showed that small children (toddlers) were known to ingest (eat) paint chips. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This is a great article. This post is so informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Don't Replace, Renew | Surface Renew Without a thorough investigation of the respirator, process used, and procedures it would be hard to identify the source of this adverse effect. 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 . Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. share Share. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. She wont fix it since they are going to remodel in the future. I would really like some reassurance. I use it in good ventilation and, if Im going to be doing much work, I use a respirator. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and will fully evaporate shortly after the project is completed. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. I myself am in the process of creating a technique that will eliminate the need for methylene chloride. Hello I and my two other friends went to the hospital last night to say our goodbyes. The warning labels should be more elaborate about the safety requirements. Its also useful to mention that there are different types of chemicals which use MC as an active ingredient. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. Although we cant say there is any particular hazard from these paint chips, it would be prudent to prevent your toddler from eating the paint chips or bathing the toddler in water with material that is degrading from the tub into the water. This article does a good job calling attention to the dangers of methylene chloride products and noting that many people dont know how dangerous it is. I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. 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. ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. We sure take a lot things for granted. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. 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. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. Thats why we see it a lot in historic neighborhoods.. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. Open the bathroom door and as many . Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. I have contacted the government,the union head [name removed], and the legal ombudsman but to no avail. I used a paint scraper and razor to completely strip the tub. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. I am unknown form this . These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. This toxic chemical which is known to be carcinogenic is still used with no warnings of the dangers. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. I think this blog is very helpful in knowing about the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products.We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing.Thanks a lot for sharing. See the NIOSH topic page dedicated to occupational safety and health hazards associated with Isocyanates (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/default.html). Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . We share your concern for the workers who worked on the tub in a confined space with the door closed. Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. 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. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? Lowering exposures, even below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), is considered to be good industrial hygiene practice. 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. 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. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. Or will we be ok?? 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. Hovering over a bathtub, unprotected, while stripping it would overtake anyone in a very short amount of time. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? 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? Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. His death could have been easily prevented if he had simply had a co worker outside the door to verbally check on him every 30 seconds. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. We are sorry to hear about the symptoms that you experienced and hope you are doing better. 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. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. I could not believe how hard it was to even find a kit to purchase, which led me to wonder why. Now its already peeling. From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. Thanks for the great post. Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). I stripped the lead paint off the outside of an old cast iron tub using a low-VOC paint stripper suitable for lead paint, and then primed and painted the exterior. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. I say this because his co workers where in the other bathroom working. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. We need to care when the baths are refinished. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would fully evaporate shortly after a project is completed. As far as we are concerned, 2k urethane systems should not be allowed in residential use. 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. Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride.