Bathtub Refinishers Deaths Linked to Stripping Chemical: CDC

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More than a dozen workers have died after exposure to a chemical that is used to refinish bathtubs, federal health officials are warning. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning that methylene chloride, a paint-stripping chemical has been linked to at least 13 deaths since 2000.

All of the deaths occurred among bathtub refinishers who used the chemical as a paint stripper. The report was published in the CDC’s February 24 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

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Methylene Chloride is used in both industrial processes as a degreaser, process catalyst and paint remover, and is available as an over-the-counter paint and finish stripper.

The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) began investigating the deaths linked to its use after the death of a Michigan bathtub refinisher in 2010. In total, three deaths in Michigan were linked to methylene chloride exposure. Ten other similar deaths have occurred in nine different states.

The deaths occurred in residential bathrooms that lacked proper ventilation. All but one of the victims were male and they either failed to use proper respiratory equipment or what they used was not protective against methylene chloride fumes.

Six of the products used were marketed for use in the aircraft industry and none were designed for bathtub refinishing, according to the CDC. The deaths from 2000 to 2010 are noteworthy because there were only two such deaths reported from 1976 to 1999.

Symptoms of methylene chloride exposure can include headache, nausea, and dizziness at low levels. At higher levels it can cause heart arrhythmias, angina and electrocardiographic changes, the CDC reports. The CDC says that it is likely that the victims lost consciousness and died from respiratory depression.

The CDC is warning workers not to use methylene chloride for bathtub refinishing, saying that there is likely no way to use it safely in a small, enclosed bathroom. The CDC instead recommends sanding or the use of other chemicals designed and marketed for that purpose, but warns that other chemicals may have their own hazards and should only be used with full knowledge of the proper safety procedures involved.

Tags: Chemical, Methylene Chloride, Work Injury
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1 Comments

Gary
Last Year before these studies were publicized I was approached my a the University of Michigan to Help Edit and act as a liaison between the researchers and the Bathtub Refinishing Professional Community. I had to help them understand the process. We were the Best choice as we own http://www.refinishersonline.com or The Professional Bathtub Refinishing Association since 2002. It is the industries plague. We hate stripping bathtubs and It’s my Honest Opinion DIY BATHTUB REFINISHING KITS should be outlawed. It is tantamount to walking into a Auto Paint Supply Company and buy Coating to Brush your New Car Paint Job or Spray Paint it. No difference. Bathtubs are Harder to Refinish and the surface must be sprayed like Glass. Glass! If not you will be bathing in Body Oils Mixed with dirt and Soap Scum waxy paste that clings to the brush ridges or the slightest imperfection. It’s literally burning down the barn to kill the rats. Replace a Tub $5000 National Average. $450 Refinish that comes with a 5 year warranty and will look new. You just saved 90 % versus Replacement and I totally want everyone to save money BUT ask yourself? How Many Do It yourself Auto Aircraft Marine Paint Jobs have you seen done DIY? The Finish must be equal or your bathing in human body oil dirt bacteria waxy Putty. I would not Put my grand Daughters in that tub. Children have a hand to mouth Propensity and Little Girls according to the CDC run a bigger risk sitting in these scummy tubs. If you need help please call 210.822.9393 Ask for Gary and I will do my Best to Locate someone to apply a proper finish for anyone who is financially distressed in this tough economy. It works for both of us. You get a great job and I get to save one of my Refinishers Lives. This is serious people I have actually replaced a guy who died and I myself had equipment failure and I barely made it myself.

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