The Antifreeze Safety Act

[font=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Antifreeze Safety Act (H.R. 1563)[/font]

Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY), alarmed at the idea that as many as 10,000 animals may die annually after ingesting automobile antifreeze containing ethylene glycol, has introduced H.R. 1563, legislation to “require engine coolant and antifreeze to contain a bittering agent so as to render it unpalatable.”

According to the National Safety Council, ethylene glycol is a colorless, sweet-tasting liquid, which was used in World War I as a substitute for glycerol in explosives. Used in antifreeze today, it can have deadly consequences. Congressman Ackerman notes that consumption of spilled antifreeze “poses a danger to our youngsters playing outdoors, dogs being walked by their owners, cats being let out of the house, and even stray animals such as birds, squirrels, raccoons, etc.” “The Antifreeze Safety Act” calls for all engine coolants or antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol also to “include denatonium benzoate at a minimum of 30 parts per million.” Denatonium benzoate is considered by many to be the bitterest substance known to humans. Animals would not ingest a liquid containing this unpalatable substance, which is already used as a bittering agent to repel deer from consuming plants in one’s yard. Antifreeze spills may be inevitable, but animal poisonings as a result can be minimized dramatically with enactment of this modest but vital legislation.

Reprinted......