What Pet Owners Should Know After the Weymouth Battery Fire
Experts answer questions about potential exposure, symptoms to watch for and steps pet owners can take following a fire.
A leash, a clean coat and avoiding puddles can help limit pets’ exposure to contaminants after a nearby fire, veterinary toxicologists say—practical precautions for owners concerned about La Verne’s recent lithium-ion battery fire.
The City’s incident webpage reports that air monitoring found no meaningful difference in particulate matter or heavy metals from typical background conditions. Results labeled “non-detect” mean substances were not detected above the equipment’s detection thresholds. Metropolitan has not yet reported the results of its water runoff tests.
Immediately after a nearby fire, Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director of toxicology for ASPCA Poison Control, recommends keeping cats indoors and limiting dogs’ time outside.
Karyn Bischoff, a diagnostic toxicologist at UC Davis’ California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory and emerita associate professor of practice at Cornell University, advises keeping pets leashed and preventing them from rolling on the ground, which can contaminate their coats. Pets also should avoid drinking from puddles and other outdoor water sources.
Washing or wiping pets can reduce contamination, said Dr. Renee D. Schmid, director of veterinary medicine and senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline. She recommends rinsing their feet with water or washing them with Dawn dish soap after outdoor trips. Wismer advises bathing pets if soot is visible on their coats.
Owners should avoid contaminating themselves while cleaning their pets and follow local health authorities’ guidance on personal protective equipment, Schmid said. She also recommends staying current on local warnings and applying those precautions to pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How might pets be exposed to hazardous substances following a lithium-ion battery fire?
The main exposure routes of concern are inhalation and contact with the skin, said Renee D. Schmid, director of veterinary medicine and senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline. Ingestion can also occur through grooming.
Smoke plumes from battery fires can deposit heavy metals.
Cobalt can cause vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, respiratory distress (if inhaled), and, with long-term exposure, heart changes (cardiomyopathy) and weakness.
Nickel could cause contact dermatitis and vomiting or diarrhea.
Manganese can cause vomiting, anorexia, and weakness (this type of exposure would not be expected to cause liver failure).
Copper can cause liver disease, but this is typically seen with long-term exposure.
Aluminum can cause muscle twitching, but this is usually only seen with long-term high exposures.
Lithium intoxication also usually requires long-term exposure that can progress to vomiting, muscle tremors, and seizures
Should outdoor food bowls, water bowls, toys or bedding exposed during a plume be washed or discarded?
Permeable materials; cloth and rope should be discarded, said Renee D. Schmid, director of veterinary medicine and senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline. Wash metal or other solid bowls thoroughly.
Karyn Bischoff, diagnostic toxicologist at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at the University of California, Davis, and emerita associate professor of practice at Cornell University, said bedding should be washable; if not, discard the items.
Should owners prevent pets from eating grass or digging in soil until more is known about deposition?
Avoiding those activities is the safest option until the situation and potential residual concerns can be assessed, suggests Renee D. Schmid, director of veterinary medicine and senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline.
Is veterinary testing useful for an animal that appears healthy but may have been exposed?
Testing is available for various heavy metals, said Tina Wismer, senior director of toxicology for ASPCA Poison Control. Although, the appropriate samples vary by laboratory. Because testing can be expensive, she would not recommend testing an animal that has no clinical signs.
What symptoms warrant calling a veterinarian versus going directly to an emergency veterinary hospital?
Unless a pet is in respiratory distress, unable to rise, having seizures, or has developed significant skin wounds, owners can call their veterinarian first to determine whether an examination is needed, said Renee D. Schmid, director of veterinary medicine and senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline.
Tina Wismer, senior director of toxicology for ASPCA Poison Control, said more than mild vomiting, blood in vomit or diarrhea, or loss of appetite lasting more than two days should prompt an emergency veterinary visit if the regular veterinarian is closed.
If nickel, manganese, cobalt, or other battery-associated particles were deposited on residential surfaces or soil, could that be a meaningful exposure pathway for dogs and cats?
Some of these compounds occur naturally in soil, but a fire can concentrate them, said Tina Wismer, senior director of toxicology for ASPCA Poison Control. She recommends rinsing hard surfaces such as sidewalks and patios and watering lawns to reduce dermal contact.
Schmid said the most cautious approach would be to limit pets' time outdoors and consider using booties or shoes when taking them outside.
Local Events Calendar
