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Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. 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. Are Bathtub Refinishing Fumes Dangerous? How do I know if this is toxic? I believe in situations like these, two or more workers would be present in the bathroom, when proper ventilation is impossible. What separates a good job from a not-so-good job is not so much how it looks, its the prep. This is in Australia. The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. Bathtub Refinishing vs. Liner: Whats Right for Your Home. I regret it so much! You can review and change the way we collect information below. Agree with your perspective. Pay $64.00 after $25 OFF your total qualifying purchase upon opening a new card. I very much agree with you, that safety and health is a very important thing in our lives, Especially if chosen to be done in small places like a bathroom. Concessions return to the NYC rental market as recession fears slow leasing activity, The pros and cons of buying a penthouse apartment, Racism and the lack of diversity in the appraisal business, Making sense of the NYC real estate market with Jonathan Miller, The Brick Underground Podcast: Predators in the NYC rental market, with Hannah Levintova from Mother Jones, The Brick Underground Podcast: Protecting against fire and floods in your NYC apartment, The Brick Underground Podcast: Finding a deal as NYC landlords pull concessions and raise rents, The Brick Underground Podcast: Trading your NYC apartment for a cheap(er) vacation. a great article! It gives me hope to see that some commenters are specialists who are trying to recreate safer and more effective processes that will phase out use of this agent. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! The guy who came to do tub had a fancy breathing mask that covered his whole face and tubes attached to his belt I was concerned when I saw the precautions he took but said it was no problem. You may want to contact the Environmental Protection Agency or The Consumer Product Safety Commission. Does anyone know if I should be worried? The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. It is the first time I visit your blog, but I was extremely impressed. Open the bathroom door and as many . Ive read some incredible information in this article. I hope many people will now be thinking at least thrice before making use of such chemicals. Im not aware of any can anyone point me in the right direction please? It is an odd sized bathtub so I did not even consider ordering a replacement custom-made. It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. Thank you for your comment. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. 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. 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. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! Also I have asthma, and after the job was done today I cant stop wheezing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. 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. However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. So glad I read this. Specifically, typical mobile LEV units have a fan, flexible ductwork, and a hood near the tub that exhausts hazardous vapors to the outdoors. The first one was a very long process because there was no air circulation what so ever si the two part paint kit kept separating from one another which kept me in the room with only my Tshirt pulled over my nose. Very good info. Is the Bathtub Reglazing Odor Terrible? Learn About the Bathtub It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. When methylene chloride enters the human body, it affects brain function, such as concentration. 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. It hurt to know my best friend was no longer alive but his body stayed warm and breathing only by use of machines. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. 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. 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've set up fans to direct the fumes out the screen door and left the premises. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. Karma: 3. Thanks for sharing such a helpful post. 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. Superior heavy duty Reglazing. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. Thanks for the great post. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. This situation creates dangerously high concentrations of methylene chloride and even replaces the breathable air. However, the human body can quickly become desensitized to the smell and a worker may be overexposed even if he or she can no longer smell it. I am concerned about having a surface that is toxic and that can harm my family in the long run. Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. There is a lot of toxicological information available on the Internet which can be found by joining the term MSDS with as specific a description of the product about which you are interested in knowing. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. Which brand names or compounds should consumers ask for? We'll put an entirely new finish over the existing tub or tile in your bathroom. I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. Bathtub. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. Thank you so much! Also my bedroom windows are both open, and that door is closed as well. Your article has truly peaked my interest. We are inconsolable. 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. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! We are in a rental and I had to stop allowing my daughter to take baths because its everywhere. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. 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. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. Thank you for sharing this useful information. So, if the concentration were over the PEL, for example at 50 ppm, the workers would exceed the 25 ppm average limit in 4 hours. But two days later it still bothers me. I had my cast iron tub reglazed on a very hot humid day. Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. Heart attacks may occur even before any other symptoms of methylene chloride exposure occur. 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. 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. Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. Is Bathtub Refinishing Safe? | Tub Reglazing Fumes & Safety - Angi What that means is that at room temperature, methylene chloride will evaporate very rapidly, much more rapidly than water. Methylene chloride exposure may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, a feeling of intoxication, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRY SO NO DANGEROUS FUMES? I am a first time user of the refinishing kit. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. Ron, This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. 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. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Himmelstein McConnell Gribben & Joseph LLP. In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. Im a Painting Contractor in Anchorage, Alaska and this is a really good post for me to see! 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. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). From now we must be aware if wanna to do that. Its a multi-step process that involves cleaning the tub thoroughly and sanding it to remove any soap scum or other particles, and repairing cracks or worn areasall of these imperfections will affect the quality and durability of the final finishing coat. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. Consult the OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert for specific information regarding engineering controls, exposure levels and air monitoring, personal protective equipment, worker training and medical surveillance. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. I am ok with both tub and tile appearance until I can afford a replacement/bath remodel. Methyl chloride has high vapor pressure, meaning that it evaporates extremely quickly and turns into gas that can easily be inhaled, especially in a small bathroom that may not be adequately ventilated. Being relatively poor most of my life Ive always been a do-it-yourselfer. 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? tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. 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 . Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. Do fumes from reglazing a bathtub/shower make an apartment Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. I opted in for your Feed too. When working with stripper or using solvents,acid,etcas well as applying your refinishing product.ALWAYS USE A FRESH-AIR SYSTEM..NOT MASKSmasks leak so they dont give the protection you need for long term exposure.I use a mask only when Im outside mixing or gathering my equipment when the job is finished and I should be using the fresh air system while I do that.Also cover your skinsome of these chemical will get into your body through your skin.Good LuckKeep yourself safe..DO YOUR RESEARCH. 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 . Finding a Miracle Method office. Stripping products may also contain flammable solvents and flammability may be a concern. Bathtub Refinishing | Benefits & Considerations in 2023 | REthority They know where people bathe. I have personally resurfaced in the past for investment properties, and have smelt the sweet smell, but never was affected , luckily. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment And I havent been able to use mine in years to due mobility being so compromised. I have learned some incredible information in this report. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. I took a shower and a 3 inch or so came off. He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. I live in a small one bedroom apartment and I just had my tub resurfaced. Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. Refinishing Porcelain & Fiberglass Bathtub Reglazing/Refinishing Service. But I keep on hitting dead ends. I do home remodeling in Dallas, and many homeowners want to try to salvage some tubs, which is cost effective for some, but certainly a chemical risk for the workers and I would think the homeowners need to be made aware of this type of chemical being used in their home. Pros will have the correct gear, knowledge of how to ventilate the space and protect themselves, and familiarity with the various chemicals used so you dont need to worry about keeping yourself safe. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. There is not any ventilation in the bathroom either. White uses a portable fume exhauster, and HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers, which produce less overspray. Provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and fresh makeup air to exhaust vapors released from the stripping agents in the bathtub. This is a great article. I opened my windows, all four. If you feel you are in danger, you should contact your local emergency services for assistance. She refinished furniture in our garage. Thankyou for letting people know this danger alert! If you have a tub that has seen better days, but you dont want to remove and replace it completely, then you may need to have it reglazed or refinished to restore it to its original state. I blog often and I really appreciate your content. 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 such a helpful information. There is also a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for which the average exposure cannot exceed 125 ppm over any 15-minute period. My apartment manager refinished my bathtub about 2 1/2 years ago instead of buying a new one. We do not have any information about the paint chips that are peeling off of your refinished bathtub. 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 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.