Workers often spray or pour a bathtub stripping product into the basin of the bathtub and then brush the product onto the tub surface. Is the Bathtub Reglazing Odor Terrible? Learn About the Bathtub Please, if you know anyone who refinishes bathtubs, make sure they are VERY AWARE of the dangers and the different situations. keep blogging~! We also welcome your input on the prevention practices mentioned above. However no one is to blame, and no one is at fault. I just rented a house. tl;dr: Accidentally fell in the bathtub so hard it left a hole. We would appreciate your assistance in circulating the information in this blog and the Hazard Alert to those involved in bathtub refinishing. Making safety precautions is the priority for all kinds of work. Avoid use of methylene chloride or minimize the amount of methylene chloride used at each site. Surface Designers have been in business for over 20 years resurfacing bathtubs and countertops. Bathtub Refinishing | Benefits & Considerations in 2023 | REthority I have used this product recently on a tub used all the proper PPE and approved NIOSH mask and jump suit and I have tasted this awful taste in my mouth for a couple of days its been 2 weeks and I still kinda feel it in my chest. He was formally pronounced brain dead at the hospital, the same day of the incident. print Print. And that tub refinishing is at top of my list besides them running heat too much. I asked the doctors if they collect lifestyle information and report it to the government so correlations can be made about cause and effect they said no. The fog was so thick and i could barely take a breath even with fans on. 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. Why is this not part of a home inspection, when you move into a house, built in 1950? I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. 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)). I thought it was re-porcelained but have just been told that it was refinished with a polyurethane/acrylic finish. I have 3 kids in a tiny apt in Brooklyn. The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. I washed the tub thoroughly and have been using it since. Good to see so much effort going into bringing awareness to bathtub refinishing in Waltham. Thanks for your comment. Thanks if you reply. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? Some will work but they require 24 hours of wet saturation and even then they require a lot of hard work. It hurt to know, the four of us where in a room together for what will be the very last time. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any Does anyone know if I should be worried? However, it's not necessary if the bathroom is properly ventilated. We need to know what all are used while doing refinishing. I opened my windows, all four. After the surface has dried, it is 100% safe to use the bathroom fixture. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. Tub reglazing: What you need to know about this affordable but stinky What is the LEAST TOXIC alternative for bathtub reglazing? I remember my grandfather saying something about antifreeze having that safety precaution I believe. Many stripping products (including those that may also be available to consumers) contain high percentages of methylene chloride. 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). I guess this is one of those occupational hazard jobs when doing bathtub refinishing. Exposure to methylene chloride can be lethal. Not worth it. (before we had kids). This is poor. Thanks for sharing such a helpful article about bathtub refinishing. 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. At least 14 workers have died since 2000 as a result of using stripping agents containing methylene chloride during bathtub refinishing. Bathroom fans or open windows do not provide adequate ventilation. 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. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. I am a 48 year old single woman, who tries to do everything myself, and I am really concerned about how dangerous this is. (273) Questions & Answers (148) +3. They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. 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. Open the bathroom door and as many . Just wonderful post, personally i am very interested for this topic. Thanks. We can avoid being harmed if we will be knowledgeable about things. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. Contact me via e-mail njtragroup@gmail.com and send me your ideas. Id thought of using a refinishing kit, but after reading this, I guess Ill just live with the chip. Wow! Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or difficulty staying awake require immediate medical attention. Bathtub refinishing is very risky. Finding a Miracle Method office. and it was very helpful for people, In addition to the hazards of strippers, old porcelain bathtubs, sinks and tiles manufactured before the mid-1990s could also have lead in the glaze, which could leach into bathwater, or if sanded or scraped could form a dust that if ingested by young children (who touch it with bare skin) could cause lead poisoning. I have no shower, only this bath and no space for one. Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? Your local health department may also be able to provide more assistance or information. 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. We slept inside the apartment after the workers did the bathtub glazing, should we go to the clinic to make sure we are fine? Our beloved pet went into respiratory failure the next day, was rushed to the ER and spent three nights in the veterinarian ICU. It is now 5:30 p.m., and the fumes in the apartment are too much to bear. How to effectively get rid of bathtub resurface smell in my apartment? I wish they warned me and Id have had means to stay out of house for a few days. I noticed the odor every time they went in or out of the room, and had the bedroom doors all closed. 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. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. You can also use your favorite search engine and search using the following key words: Bathtub Porcelain Glaze MSDS But because were low income, we also do not get the luxury of telling management or housingno. Wearing a dust mask should not be confused with fitting a respirator with organic cartridges. Awsome and useful informations too, thanks for sharing this educational post! As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. I feel sure many, many more have died from methylene chloride than we know why is this so? 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. And if we can afford it, let the pros do their jobs. My tub didnt look.bad at all except for being dusty from disuse.maybe they cant tell the difference. How can -re-glazers be allowed to do this line of work if it is dangerous to everyone involved? I have never thought of this before! Thanks for your comment. (Fun fact: You can make it any color you want, so if youve ever wanted a purple bathtub, that dream can be realized.). How Long Does Reglazing a Tub Last and How Does it Work Its used to strip paint and varnish from furniture which will be refinished. 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 used this kit 6 weeks ago. How much should you renovate your NYC apartment before selling it? I was weak though and shaking, felt faint and nauseated. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. Alternative products and processes exist for bathtub refinishing. Keep posting at all like me gonna turned up at write out paper everyday! I am exposing myself by soaking in this tub? Is that smell dangerous for children? Sometimes workers are not educated, companies should invest in staff training to work with these materials. I found out the hard way. I didnt know that the bathroom fans and windows wouldnt provide the right amount of ventilation. My business is in the UK, safety of workers is as important over here. Bathtub refinishing fumes are dangerous and you do not want yourself or anyone in the home breathing them. Thanks for sharing such a helpful information. It was a small job, and I messed up with the paint brush I used, leaving lines in the finished product. 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. Reglazing a tub doesnt actually take that long to do. There are exposure limits, but they are not based solely on how long a worker may be exposed to the chemical. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. What are the effects of being in the house during the process (for our pets) and after the process (chemical wise around our kids). Weve added a resource to try and educate those who are using these processes and offered a number of safer alternatives to using substances other than methylene chloride here: http://jwcpropertyservices.co.uk/bathtub-refinishing-dangers/. So glad I read this. I started reading articles and ended up reading most of the comments in this blog. 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. My apartment complex refinished nicks in tub. But I keep on hitting dead ends. We face inspections every year where lots of tubs are refinished in this building.but no precautions are ever taken to protect the residents and their animals. Do fumes from reglazing a bathtub/shower make an apartment Extraction during the process is everything. Our tub was just resurfaced today I was told six hours after they got done we could return to the apartment and stay the night just cant use the tub or take the tape off for 48 hours is that safe? Ive asked for a materials data sheet and nothing. In order to assess whether you may be experiencing health effects due to a toxic exposure, seek a medical evaluation from a healthcare provider. 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 . But the air looked pretty fume filled to me This is a nightmare for someone with my health issues! They take the dirt out but also take part of the glaze, he says. It always falls on us, to make sure, inspections we pay for, cover areas of higher hazard. Please take proper safety precautions, as well as warn others of these seriously dangerous situations. Im also dealing with such kinds of things because Im a plumber by profession. NIOSH cannot provide individual medical advice. She and her contractor agreed to wait until the weather cooledto remedy the situation. Remember, if it smells new, the fumes are too. White advises keeping away fromcleansers likebleach oreven Soft Scrub. Brooklyn resident (and Brick Underground contributor) Donna Airoldirecently hadher tub reglazed, and she even scrubbed it before her contractor cleaned it. Your article has truly peaked my interest. Thanks for telling us now. We should all gather together and come up with solutions that are even better than what we are presented with now. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. very good and helpful post thanks to author. Some many companies and professionals are offering their services for the people for refinishing, repairing, remodeling things. Thanks! The apt right next to me was just resurfaced and the chemicals came through the air vents. For consumer concerns such as this you may want to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 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. However since Kevin was an organ donor, they kept his body on life support, in order to preserve is heart, liver, and kidneys. I am older with heart disease and lung disease. As a point of comparison, water boils at 212 F and has a room temperature vapor pressure of 17 mmHg. A great thanks to you to let us know about the fact. 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. Methylene chlorides boiling point is just over 100 F, and has a vapor pressure of 350 mmHg. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. What is the difference between a muntin and a mullion and are they still used in windows? I also have a 6 year oldshould we leave? The odor and fumes were suffocating. 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)). (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. HomeAdvisors True Cost Guide puts the average cost to refinish a bathtub at about $450, while installing a new one runs about $3,000. 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. Refinishing is also the best option with antique tubs that dont lend themselves to relining. Mimi OConnor has written about New York City real estate for publications that include Brick Underground, Refinery29, and Thrillist. Vanity of a tub isnt worth it. 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. thanks Ron Hall for such a valuable information, its horrible, why its still available in the market, it should be banned from the market. I am thankful that I found this article before I made a final decision on whether or not to purchase a DIY kit for my tub interior. I gave my 2 year old a bath a little more came off. 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. Let the physician or health care professional know the specific products and chemicals used and the environment you were working in. Also, you may want to ask the installer for the products safety data sheet which may have useful information on curing times and precautions. After working in retail for many years, my mother retired, began buying and refinishing furniture. Thanks so much for the info! My tub will soon be refinished and I am glad I have read this article. Hello Im Derrick I used this last night now this morning Im sick as a dog headache stomachache am throwing up I didnt use a mask. Follow all applicable OSHA standards, including the Methylene Chloride standard (. If you just bought a Mercedes, would you put a rubber mat on the roof? White asks. No warning that fumes would make me sick. According to OSHA, you must also provide local exhaust ventilation and make-up air to replace the vapors removed by the exhaust. Capital region housing in edmonton is the worst. Long story short, today my face is red as a tomato and I feel very unsettled and almost as if i drank 3 beer. It hurt to know that such a good person you loved and cared about so much is now gone. Really I like got very valuable information here and Looking forward to read your Upcoming Post. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly. After most fumes and smell went away two days later i still had muscle pain and spasms all over, headache, very sick and weak, skin burned and stung, could feel it in my lungs. 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. Perhaps this us not the case. This Northern California real estate agent is living the green Dream. Hello PDF Acute Lung Disease from Bathtub Refinishing - University of California I would like to know. Price changing out your bathtubs before ever considering a refinishing product that is known to be toxic! Ventilate Your Work Area. My apartment is very small and I sat in bedroom with my elderly cat not 20 feet away. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Ask Sam: I saw my apartment on a listing site, but I havent received any notice from my landlord. The bathtub/shower in my apartment was reglazed this morning. 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 . Real time instruments such as Photoionization detectors (PIDs) can be used to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We had it done over a year ago, and even with ventilation, I was outside in January feezing temps. Is Bathtub Refinishing Safe? | Tub Reglazing Fumes & Safety - Angi Its highly toxic Teri. White is popular, but we can do pretty much any color you have in mind. refinish or reglaze it or just replace it altogether. 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. She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. 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. They yellow like crazy, and they are solvent based, slow drying so they off gas, and they never hold up. This bathtub renovation option goes by many names resurfacing, recoating, refinishing or reglazing but has a pretty straightforward process. (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.). They took all precautions and said the fumes were gone, its only a smell. 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. Great information. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. My head and stomach hurts, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. My husband and I have been thinking about getting our master bathtub refinished so we will have to keep this information in mind. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. Material data sheets, now referred to as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are prepared by those who sell chemical products. ), [Its] a great way to make a grimy, stain-ridden bathtub look new again, says Dan DiClerico, HomeAdvisor'ssmart home strategistand home expert. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. The fumes are stronger fumes so we do not allow anyone to be in the apartment for 8 hours. I went outside after he was finished. NIOSH has continued to try to get the word out to workers and employers about the risks of working with methylene chloride. Myths About Bathtub Refinishing | Specialized Refinishing Co. So we need extra care. Bathtub refinishing is the process of restoring the surface of an old bathtub to improve the bathtubs appearance and repair surface damage. Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. The legal basis is Annex XVII of the REACH regulation. This is a great article. I was doing some research on tub reglazing when I found this article. 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. Sometimes, its less expensive to replace a tub than to get it refinished, especially if its a rare type of tub made of an unusual material. Step 2: Clean the Tub Thoroughly Step 3: Protect Areas Around the Tub Step 4: Remove the Glaze Step 5: Sand the Surface Step 6: Prep the Surface for Glaze Application I didnt think too much about it.