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ask.heather@mail.house.gov
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In Washington DC
442 Cannon House
Office Building
Washington, DC
20515
202-225-6316 Phone
202-225-4975 Fax |
In Albuquerque
20 First Plaza NW
Suite 603
Albuquerque, NM
87102
505-346-6781 Phone
505-346-6723 Fax |  |
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Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico
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| ‘Scooby’s Bill’ Gets Hearing in House of Reps |
May 23, 2006 |
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Wilson-Cosponsored Bill Would Improve Safety of Antifreeze Nationally
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson, speaking today to the House Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Waste, on which she serves, urged passage of the Antifreeze Bitterant Act of 2005 (H.R. 2567).
The legislation, cosponsored by Wilson, would prevent accidental poisonings from antifreeze. At Wilson’s request, the Subcommittee today held a hearing on the proposal, which requires that antifreeze safety be improved by adding a bitter-tasting ingredient. Antifreeze has a sweet taste and bright color, and is ingested by an estimated 1,400 children and 10,000 pets annually. It results in illness and is often fatal to pets. Dr. Melinda Eyrich, a veterinarian from Albuquerque, testified at the hearing.
Wilson’s opening statement:
“Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for holding this hearing today on the Antifreeze Bitterant Act, H.R. 2567. I would also like to introduce one of the witnesses today on the third panel, Dr. Melinda Eyrich. Dr. Eyrich is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has been a veterinarian for 15 years. I would like to welcome Dr. Eyrich and I look forward to her testimony and the testimony of all the witnesses.
Antifreeze poisoning is a real danger. Because antifreeze tastes and smells sweet, it is ingested by children and pets. Last year, 74 people in New Mexico were poisoned by antifreeze, and many more animals were poisoned, with several animal deaths. Losing a pet is not an easy thing. Just ask anyone who has lost their pet. Lisa Hecker of New Mexico lost her dog when someone put dog food swimming in antifreeze out in the arroyo next to the road where they live in September 2004. Nine dogs and 2 cats were killed by antifreeze poisoning in her neighborhood within a two week period. But we can do something to stop these poisonings, whether they are intentional or accidental.
The City of Albuquerque passed a law in 2004 to include the bittering agent denatonium benzoate in antifreeze, and the State of New Mexico followed suit in 2005. Denatonium benzoate is also a required additive to make antifreeze bitter in the UK, Japan, Australia, and France. The United States should follow suit.
Making antifreeze bitter only costs about 3 cents per gallon. This seems like a small price to pay to keep our children and our pets safe. Frankly, I don’t see how anyone could oppose this legislation.”
Background
Wilson’s effort at the national level mirrors existing law in New Mexico, and would provide a nationwide standard for interstate commerce. The legislation has earned broad support from pediatricians, animal rights groups, and even the industry that will be responsible for complying with the federal legislation once it’s enacted.
The legislation would establish a national standard for adding denatonium benzoate to antifreeze sold in quantities of 55 gallons or less. New Mexico, Oregon, and California already have state laws with similar requirements while many other states are considering laws with varying standards. Wilson says a clear national standard is necessary in this case.
Support for this effort:
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Veterinary Medical Association have endorsed this legislation.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution in 2004 urging Congress to “help cities protect children and animals” by passing a bill to require the addition of a bittering agent to antifreeze.
The Consumer Specialty Products Association, which represents antifreeze manufacturers, actively supports federal legislation.
The Pet Food Institute, the Humane Society of the U.S., the Society for Animal Protective Legislation, and the American Humane Association endorse H.R. 2567.
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