WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives, Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials held a hearing today on the Antifreeze Bittering Act (H.R. 2567), legislation seeking to prevent antifreeze poisoning in children and animals. The Humane Society of the United States urges enactment of this legislation, which could protect thousands of children and animals who are sickened or die each year from ingesting antifreeze. The Doris Day Animal League, a national animal advocacy organization, has led the fight for this bill, and The HSUS has backed its effort.
An estimated 1,400 children and 10,000 animals are poisoned each year after ingesting Ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance used in antifreeze and coolant in automobiles. Ethylene glycol's sweet smell and taste makes it an attractive but deadly substance. The bill requires antifreeze and coolant manufacturers to add denatonium benzoate, an intensely bitter agent, to their products. The additive would cost manufacturers an additional 2-3 cents per gallon.
"Antifreeze poisoning is a horrible way to die, for animals or people," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "The Antifreeze Bittering Act is the simplest, least expensive way to diminish the likelihood of inadvertent anti-freeze poisoning. We thank Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Heather Wilson (R-NM) for bringing this issue front and center, and urge swift passage of this common sense legislation."
"We have a simple solution to a serious problem that's good for kids and animals and safe for the environment," said Rep. Ackerman (D-NY). "The legislation will also help prevent so-called 'Death by Antifreeze' cases in which people and pets have been murdered when their food and drink were laced with antifreeze. We can avoid future tragedies by adding only a few drops of a bittering agent to antifreeze, to ensure that a toxic dose could never be accidentally ingested. Unless Congress acts, thousands more children and tens of thousands more household pets will unnecessarily suffer horribly, or even die. We can prevent all of this suffering for no more than 3 pennies per gallon."
"I am so pleased that we are one step closer to protecting our children and our loved pets," said Rep. Rohrabacher (R-CA). "Many thanks to Chairman Gillmor for having such a well thought out hearing with such accomplished witnesses."
Sen. George Allen (R-VA) and Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) are championing this cause in the Senate with companion bill S. 1110. In November 2005, the Senate bill was approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Trade, and Transportation.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, equine protection and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the web at
www.hsus.org.
