St. Petersburg's Deicing Agents Harm Pets
Alexei Tsivilev, a deputy of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly, published an appeal on January 23 calling on the city veterinary department to develop measures to protect domestic animals from reagents.
The reason was numerous complaints from citizens about the consequences of using deicing agents for their pets. The appeals describe chemical burns on paw pads, acute dermatitis, allergic reactions, and even cases of poisoning caused by licking paws.
«In these appeals, there are cases of chemical burns on paw pads, acute dermatitis, allergic reactions, and in some cases, even poisoning caused by licking or direct contact with reagents. The problem is not episodic but systemic,» the deputy quoted the complaints on his Telegram channel.
According to Tsivilev, the widespread and massive treatment of streets requires considering the harm to animals in urban policy. He proposed a set of measures, including:
- conducting an independent expert assessment of the impact of different types of reagents on animal health, taking into account acute and chronic consequences;
- developing methodological recommendations for owners: from choosing protective means to first aid algorithms;
- implementing a differentiated approach to the use of reagents and transitioning to less toxic alternatives;
- creating a voluntary city standard for managing companies that would prescribe the use of gentle means.
«Compliance with the standard could be confirmed by a special sign, enhancing the performer»s reputation and creating a market incentive for responsible practice,« the parliamentarian noted.
The goal of these measures, according to the deputy, is to ensure a balance between pedestrian safety and animal health.
As noted earlier by the city administration, the main means for combating ice on St. Petersburg streets remain salt and salt mixtures. In some cases, at very low temperatures, «Bionord» is used, and in parks and green areas, preference is given to ordinary sand.
