Thank you for introducing this sensitive topic in such a way I never thought these chemicals were so dangerous. I personally have never heard of this being such a serious problem. During this process, the holes and cracks in the bathtub will also be repaired. All are members dread strip jobs.Frankly I dont know why someone would choose them. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday! 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. I own a home built in 1940 and have been considering getting my cast iron bathtub refinished. Do these products continue to leech into air/water once project is completed? We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers. good cotent, i like it. I went outside after he was finished. It is now peeling off. Wow! Methylene chloride is a volatile liquid and would have fully evaporated shortly after the project was completed. Even low income people dont deserve treatment like Ive seen and been through. It's also possible to injure yourself if the product comes in contact with the skin. DIY Bathtub Refinish Kit with SlipGuard in White. She said if its not life threatening then they wont do it. My Landlord is planning on re glazing our tub and we are leaving for the weekend. If you have concerns you should discuss them with a medical professional. Adults? Does anyone know if I should be worried? I would like to know. Until the finishing dries, it is a good idea to leave the house. I am not an overly caution person, but I understand that in certain instances it is important to exercise caution. Another interest in re-glazing is being fueled by informed masses who have shown a continued interest in "greening" their homes, particularly in making them more . Lead poisoning is a serious risk for young kids. 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. You should contact 911 and move to an area with fresh air (outside), or if possible open an window to let fresh air in. I take epsom salt baths and the salts are absorbed systemically. 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. 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). Even a tiny bit? Opening the windows is necessary, but it's certainly not enough if you're working with methylene chloride. Wow, great article on the dangers and Health Effects when methylene chloride is used. I have a chipped tub that is built in with tile walls. It a huge peeled off spot in the tub, dangerous to me? Hello I have stripped hundreds of tubs. I had to keep the windows shut with the air on all night. 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. I have 15 years experience with bathtub refinishing and stripping. The use of methylene chloride killed many people in the industry. Methylene chloride is extremely dangerous when not used properly, this is an understatement, but Im glad its finally being brought to peoples attention. 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. Contact Us Today For A Free Bathtub Refinish Estimate Call [phone] or complete the contact form below for a FREE estimate! The fumes were so strong that it gave me a headache and caused me to become nauseated. 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! 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. I would also like to issue one other caveat. After the bathtub has been stripped and resurfaced how long is the danger from the Methylene chloride still in the air? 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. We tried to open our window a bit. Resurfacing is when we paint the counters, cabinets or tubs. If you know the name of the product that was used, you may be able to find it by searching on the Internet. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: We take your privacy seriously. I wish I had read this blog before the procedure. We use a spray-on compound that hardens to a polished and durable, like-new finish. We had one bathtub redone in our old house a few years ago but I think they just re-coated it. My cat was crying and jumping on the door to get out. 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. I own a small bathtub refinishing business and we have committed to stay away from M.C. 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. I have so many friends that are a part of DIY pages that encourage individuals to attempt these kinds of projects on their own, unknowingly knowing some of the real dangers. Publication number 81-8c-2013. 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. So, it presents no long-term hazard to the resident. Having your bathtub professionally refinished will cost around $460 (the national average), but you can expect to pay between $200 to $900 depending on the type of tub you have and the cost of labor in your location. Thank you for your comment. Seek medical attention for treatment and evaluation. Care must be taken to ensure that workers are not overexposed to particulates being generated during sanding operations. Is there any type of detector on the market that will detect high levels of methlene chloride vapors? This forces a refinisher to use a very strong stripper. My friends name is Kevin H. The incident happened Thursday April 27th at 4pm. Changing up your tub is a great way to give your bathroom a makeover on a budget, Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. I regret it so much now and want the tub out of the house. Could you please advise, will this chemical leech into the water? 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. Thank you so much for this great article and hope that others now are aware of the safety measures that need to be followed. I think there are actually regulations on workers on how long they may be subjected to this chemical during a work day. 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. 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. However, we have no information about the risks that might arise to the resident from exposure to the flaking surface of the refinished tub. Follow good housekeeping measures, including spill and leak control and appropriate personal hygiene practices (such as making skin washing areas available to workers). Bare minimum, the ventilation should meet some requirements, and homeowners should HAVE to LEAVE THE HOUSE for 3 days. In September 2011, a worker using a product containing methylene chloride to strip the glaze from a bathtub collapsed in the bathtub and later died. Did you know that the fumes from the chemical used to refinish or reglaze your bathtub can be hazardous to your health? I just bought this old house that has this beautiful tub if only it can get restored back to new. 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. There is an incredible amount of data Is there some disconnect between science, policy and legal enforcement? ECO-FRIENDLY No Odor Tub Reglazing: Fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals, Ekopel's long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels! Need professional help with your project? The health issues that you can face immediately and also in the future are not worth the risk. 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. Leave the room immediately after applying the methylene chloride-based stripping agent to limit exposure to methylene chloride vapors. Thank you for spreading the word on the importance of this! Ya, very helpful articles are posted. There were 13 Fatal Exposures to Methylene Chloride Paint Strippers Among Bathtub Refinishers in the last decade. (Centers for Disease Control) Not to mention those who experience unexplained symptoms that go undiagnosed that may also be caused from these dangerous bathtub refinishing and paint stripping chemicals. The NIOSH studies pertained only to workers who were applying methylene chloride (paint stripper) directly, and we have not studied consumer-related exposure. Your blog has provided useful information for the work. I found out the hard way. This seems informative and makes a very nice image on the topic in my mind. I use a flexible flat blade scraper and then sand with an aggressive grit. Liners can leak and create mold problems. I repaired the tile finish as best I could and covered it with 123 primer and latex kitchen/bath paint by mohair brush. Publication number 81-8b-2012, Successful bathtub stripping using sanding as an alternative to methylene chloride "My glazing lasted three weeks before it began to peel from a tiny spot in the center of the tub," she says. The odor is still very strong and I am wondering how long it will take before I can go back in that room? Never stay where resurfacing is being done. You must ventilate your workspace to minimize tub reglazing fumes. I have read many articles but this is different one. We are inconsolable. Thanks! The vapors should subside after awhile and you should not be able to smell the strong odor. Proper ventilation and a proper fitting organic vapor respirator are an absolute requirement for DIY bathtub refinishing. There is still a strong smell in my bathroom espicially when it is hot and humid. 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? UNTIL RE-GLAZED? It was not difficult and required no chemicals; the refinisher evidently did a very poor job of it. Should add the bathroom door was closed with towel under it but small window open for two days. Thanks for the great post. We recommend that you consult your personal physician about your health issues, and your local health department for assistance with the building management. So how and why are these places allowed to keep doing that tub refinishing if its so dangerous?? (323) 396-1030. sales@reglazinglosangeles.com. As a research agency, we do not have regulatory authority over the labeling or regulating on how methylene chloride is sold. Using methylene chloride products in a bathroom is extremely dangerous as bathrooms are often small, enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation. This is horrible People please do not use these DIY kits. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. If the area is poorly ventilated (which is common in bathrooms) or the person doing the work isnt wearing the appropriate protective gear, they could stop breathing, or worsemethyl chloride has an effect similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. Today, my apartment filled with fumes, and I feel sick. *Note that there are reports that a fresh air system is . Does anyone know what would cause the reglazing to peel and chip from the tub? Every 10 minutes or so I would have to leave and go outside because my eyes burning so bad. An apartment maintenance man entered the apartment to look for the man and found him behind the closed bathroom door, unresponsive, and slumped over the tub. You get enough toxic chemicals in your daily life without adding additional products that harm you by breathing its toxic fumes or being absorbed into your skin. The paint in the bath tub is pealing off after one use. I did not realize how strong the chemical is, and now I am concerned about any (however microscopic) of this leeching into my bathwater and onto my skin. The odor and fumes were suffocating. ARE THESE REGLAZED TUBS DANGEROUS AFTER THE PROCESS DRIES? Qualified pros will have all the necessary protective gear, including coveralls and masks with HEPA air filters.

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