PHILADELPHIA — Restoration work in homes built before 1980 carries a hidden risk for pets: the disturbance of lead-based paint and asbestos-containing materials that can release toxic particles into the air and settle on surfaces where pets eat, sleep, and groom.
Lead poisoning in pets — particularly dogs, which frequently lick surfaces and ingest dust — can cause neurological damage, gastrointestinal distress, and in severe cases, death. The EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule requires certified contractors to use lead-safe work practices in pre-1978 homes, but these protections are designed for human occupants.
Asbestos fibers released during demolition of older floor tiles, pipe insulation, or ceiling materials can be inhaled by pets and cause mesothelioma — a cancer of the lining of the lungs — decades after exposure. Cats, which groom themselves extensively, are at particular risk of ingesting asbestos fibers that settle on their fur.
Veterinarians recommend that pet owners relocate all animals — including fish, birds, and reptiles — before any restoration work begins in a pre-1980 home, and that pets not be returned until post-remediation clearance testing confirms that lead and asbestos levels are within safe limits.
Restoration contractors should inform clients with pets of the specific hazards present in their home and provide written guidance on when it is safe to return animals. Several state contractor licensing boards have begun including pet safety in their continuing education requirements.