Antifreeze Manufacturers Agree to Add Bitter Taste so Animals Won’t Lick

Antifreeze and engine coolant manufacturers who sell products in the United States must now add a bitter flavoring agent to prevent animals and children from being poisoned by the sweet-tasting liquid.

Although legislation has been previously enacted in 17 states, the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) and the Humane Society Legislative Fund jointly announced Dec. 13 that the industry would now voluntarily add the bitter taste to all coolant products sold in all 50 states.

“This is a ground-breaking example of what’s right with Washington,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “After years of battling over legislation addressing this important issue, the manufacturers of antifreeze and engine coolant have been working with animal advocates to pass state laws with mutually-agreed on language. Now, the Humane Society Legislative Fund applauds them for taking this important step to help protect our pets, kids and wildlife in every state.”

Ethylene glycol’s sweet smell and taste make it attractive to animals as well as children. An estimated 10,000 to 90,000 animals are poisoned each year after ingesting ethylene glycol, the highly toxic substance used in auto antifreeze. One teaspoon of the liquid licked from a garage floor can kill an average-sized cat.

The manufacturers are adding bitter-tasting denatonium benzoate to antifreeze and coolant sold directly to consumers across the country.

(Source – DMV.360)

Photo by DHester via Morguefile