I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. This may be an ignorant comment, so please accept my apology preemptively if so. My cat and I were both really sick afterwards and my cat has now passed on.no one told us to go anywhere else, my cat was unable to be transported anyway and so was I since Im handicapped. Cristine. 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. The company who gave me 6 year warranty has disconnected the phone number. Great article. The Health and Safety Executive is our policing force that helps prevent the tragic consequences of injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. 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. Almost any color or appearance can be achieved, including the look of natural stone or marble. Eyes, skin and residual in clothing adsorbption can also be significant and detrimental. Unless you have access to all the necessary protective clothing and equipment and are confident in your bathrooms ventilation system as well as your DIY capabilities, you should hire a professional to handle it. It won't last forever, but it's a pretty good temporary fix. Agree with your perspective. And again, dont be afraid to ask. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. Im going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. 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. I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects of such dangerous products. Half-mask respirators may NOT be used because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. No warning that fumes would make me sick. The process commonly involves removing the bathtub's existing finish before applying a new coating, usually a synthetic finish such as polyurethane or epoxy. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. And Bathtub Aliphatic Acrylic Urethane MSDS. Follow the links to the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) that the search will find. Our apartment building had the next apt tub realized these morons did this in winter and there was no windows open. I have tried a couple of my wifes lotions to easy the burning, which has only made it worse.. any suggestion on what to take the stinging away.. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. I have learned some incredible information in this report. Thanks for your comment. Takes longer and cost more but the client can pay the labor or feel free to do it themselves. 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. Anyone who is curious to try alternatives to MC-based strippers are encouraged to read these small business success stories. Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters. What if they put a horrible smell into the product that would alert the user before overexposure. However no one is to blame, and no one is at fault. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. Its in our best interest to devise a way to remove these coatings without harming ourselves or the environment. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. What is the LEAST TOXIC alternative for bathtub reglazing? 21 people who I worked with at that time have all died,one very recently with cancer. I will stress this to home owners wanting to get bathtub resurfacing done. 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. The bath was not stripped just resurfaced with a very thin layer of the napco product paint. Thank you for your comment. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. Does anyone know if I should be worried? 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. Bathtub refinishing is very dangerous. Here's how to do it, How buying real estate in NYC is unlike anywhere else, A guide to using a no-fee renovation loan from a NYC real estate firm, How to make your NYC renovation more pet-friendly, From Boerum Hill to Prospect Lefferts Gardens: After years of renting, we wanted to buy a condo with amenities, What to know about buying in Briarwood, Queens, where you may score a house with a driveway and garage. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. A lot of times when a solvent stinks, you realize you need the right protective equipment and ventilation. Products containing methylene chloride should be avoided when possible. 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! During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. Thank you for this post. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. Hi, so I had my bathtub reglazed in March. a great article! My tub was removed from my home and refinished by a company here in Portland, OR. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. Thanks for your comment. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. So, it should not present a long-term hazard to the residents after the project. 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. They hold soap scum, body oils, dirt, basically everything that comes off the human body will form a paste of scum. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. I live in Newark housing and I have been there for 11 years and every 9 months they have to paint the tub and I have to stay in the house after they paint it and it keeps messing up can you tell me what should I do. 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. The maintenance man telephoned 911 and then a second maintenance man. I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. Thank you for sharing this useful information. I am all for saving money and dont wish to come off like I dont appreciate the effort but if your already saving $5000 why not let a pro do it. Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. It's 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. How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? We sure take a lot things for granted. This is a moderated site and your comments will be reviewed before they are posted. Ms. Scott thank you for your interest in our blog Dangers of Bathtub Refinishing and your question regarding how to assess exposure to toxic vapors. 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. I had a tub refinished with epoxy that had a bad smell, but nothing like this. I didnt realize this was so deadly. Thanks! Simply not worth the risk. Migraine, dizzy, shortness of breath. 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/. 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. Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. Always wear hand and eye protection. Why? I went outside after he was finished. Bathtub Refinishing Countertop Refinishing Vanity Refinishing Fiberglass Enclosures Wall Tile This is great information to share to hopefully make us more aware and careful. Jimmy White of Staten Island-based Custom Spraying and Reglazing, who has been doing it for more than 30 years and is considered the reglazer to the starsheworked on Faye Dunaway's and Candace Bergens bathroomssays it can be done in a few hours, plus 24 hours of dry time. Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? I have been thinking about reglazing our kitchen countertop (tiles). $ 89 00. 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. How to Refinish A Bathtub - DIY Bathtub Refinishing Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtub's appearance and repair surface damage. 22 oz. We are sorry to hear about your symptoms. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. The whole job will take around 5 hours after which you will have a reglazed bathtub. I am linking an article from the Retro Renovation blog on safety that includes links to other sources on this. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. discovered that the fumes were coming through the vent in her bathroom. I have never thought of this before! The coating and sanding are done alternatively. When we find a company to do it, Ill be sure to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air. Use long-handled tools (e.g., scrapers, brushes) to avoid leaning into the bathtub. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. What if your bathtub could be transformed in one day from embarrassing to your bathroom's sparkling centerpiece? My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. Bathtub. Who cares what a bathtub looks like as long as it works? Dangers of Bathtub Refinishing | Blogs | CDC My little dog had trouble breathing during the night and I had to go to urgent care for a chest xray. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. At high enough levels, it can stop breathing. ARE THESE REGLAZED TUBS DANGEROUS AFTER THE PROCESS DRIES? Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation and even chemical burns. Do-it-yourself bathtub refinishing kits and professional refinishing products alike are not to be inhaled or absorbed by your skin. 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. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. I and my two other friends went to the hospital last night to say our goodbyes. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. Stay safe! 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. But if we ever have it done again, I will definitely check to be sure its a safe process for the workers AND the homeowners. I also worry about the health of those doing this kind of work. IF THE GLAZED TUB IS SCRATCHED LATER DOES THAT RELEASE TOXIC FUMES? You can review and change the way we collect information below. Refinishing a bathtub is a less costly . Very good to know, Ill let the pros do it from now on, and let my readers know the same! Perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, and residential or commercial tubs, sinks, showers. I like taking baths, but will not do so in this tub now knowing how unhealthy it actually is. 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. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. If it is an occupied apartment, they have to sign a waiver that they will be gone the required amount of time. sprayed with materials that emit fumes which may be hazardous to the tenant's health if inhaled in the working concentration within the first 4-6 hours after completion of the job. It has one small rust stain and is still moderately shiny. It can and will save your life. She enjoyed improving discarded furniture, then selling it it was like art to her. I never post anything anywhere. Why is this not part of a home inspection, when you move into a house, built in 1950? I have 2 small kids and an infant. My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. 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. If you are concerned for your pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the home during the stripping process. Its like trying to paint a car yourself. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. Theres no such thing as excessive safety precaution. If this could be dangerous, government should put strict in purchasing this kind of toxic to avoid casualties for workers and even consumers. I regret it so much! Sad to hear, but at least proves to me that I was right! refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? 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. Other uses, such as use by professionals outside industrial installations or household use by individuals is forbidden. We are not familiar with the finishes you mention. When engineering and work practice controls cannot decrease methylene chloride levels below OSHAs PELs (25 ppm over an 8-hour TWA or 125 ppm over a 15-minute period), employers must provide their workers with full-face atmosphere-supplying respirators. 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. He came home and seemed fine for a few days and then suddenly died. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. There is an incredible amount of data Ron, I have a similar question to the one already asked. 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. Finding a Miracle Method office. Thanks for sharing, Im sure it will really come in handy. What a great reminder to always plan for and wear personal protective equipment. What's included in a deal sheet when you buy a NYC apartment? 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/ ). and products contain ISOs. TENANT INSTRUCTIONS: . Its generally a task best performed by professionals due to the hazardous chemicals involved. I will always do the research beforehand going forward. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. We work a lot with paints and try to stay abreast of the dangers when working with chemicals, solvents and paint compounds. I have asked for the list of chemicals they use but have not heard anything. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! Use full-face air-supplied respirators, protective gloves, and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that is resistant to methylene chloride during the entire refinishing process. Use a qualified occupational safety and health specialist to assist in the design and installation of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to effectively control vapors to below applicable PELs. https://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/09/21/17991/common-solvent-keeps-killing-workers-consumers. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. They agreed to resurface it for me as they would not replace it. I learned a lot and want to ask a question about the dangers. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. (Obviously, no, but you get the idea.). Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. I dont think I had the right mask on. I have no experience in this type of work, my day job is a guidance counselor, but I started thinking about how we might prevent these fatalities from happening going forward, if using MC. They were all exposed to open tanks of Methylene Chloride and cutting up bodies causing carbon monoxide. It is amazing that I get over 100 hits per month on the article from homeowners who are fumed out during and after refinishing. Posts: 19. My building was recently sold and our rent was raised by 100 percent. Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. 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. The standard also sets a 12.5 ppm action level (AL) which triggers periodic monitoring and medical surveillance provisions. Don't Replace, Renew | Surface Renew Coatings suitable for bathtub reglazing include: You can use these materials on several surfaces, including acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, and fiberglass bathtubs. I already have cancer, my throat was raw and I had a headache. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. 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. At Specialized Refinishing, we have a team of highly experienced, certified refinishing and reglazing technicians who can restore and revitalize a wide variety of surfaces and fixtures in your rental property or before you put a house on the market. (before we had kids). Thank you for the great information. If bathroom smells awful two days after resurfacing is that just the coating or also the dangerous MC? Bathtub Reglazing Experts. Personally the bathtub reglazing odor resembles the aroma of a room after it has been painted and therefore the fragrance will keep within the facility for up to 2 days, this is not body odor we are . In order to assess learn more about the products that are being used for the re-glazing, assess the air quality of your apartment, prevent exposure or remediate any hazards, seek assistance from the building owner or manager. For consumer-related questions after the tub has been refurbished, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. You may want to contact Product Safety Australia http://www.productsafety.gov.au, who assists with consumer concerns like the one you posted. (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.). 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. Workers are exposed to methylene chloride by breathing it in and by absorbing it through their skin. Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. Even with treatment, lead poisoning can permanently affect a childs development. Bathtub Refinishing 101: Tackle This DIY Project in 7 Steps Very helpful and will definitely be one of the things to look out for on my rehabs.. Great article. Theyll also ensure adequate ventilation during the project, if necessary deploying powerful fans with duct extensions to exhaust hazardous vapors to the outdoors, says DeClerico. The odor and fumes were suffocating. For example, if you have a beautiful clawfoot tub made from heavy cast iron, refinishing is absolutely the way to go. thank you. The most dangerous part of the bathtub refinishing process is inhaling the fumes associated with the job. This post was helpful to me too. When the project is complete, you can take a relaxing soak in your new tub, knowing it was refinished correctly and safely. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. I opted in for your Feed too. My landlord want to have our tub regalzed. I think this post was very helpful in knowing the bad effects Bathtub refinishing of such dangerous products. Extraction during the process is everything. Mostly problem is that it can broken. We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. Thank you. Its not bad to ask especially if we dont know anything about something. We refinish or "reglaze" bathtubs, showers, wall tile, bathroom sinks and counters as well as . Alternatively, you can search on Methylene Chloride and Safety Data Sheet for a listing of various SDSs for similar products. There are a few scratches and black marks from a previously installed shower door that was installed on the tub. Its highly toxic Teri. With just a day or two of work, reglazing the centerpiece of your bathroom with a durable coating and color is an easy way to give your tub a quick facelift without breaking the bank.