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| House Committee Passes Bipartisan `Scooby`s Bill` with Wilson Amendment |
July 12, 2006 |
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| Wilson-Cosponsored Bill Would Improve Safety of Antifreeze Nationally
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today welcomed Committee passage 30-15 of the Antifreeze Bitterant Act of 2005 (H.R. 2567), which she cosponsored to help keep children and pets safe.
The legislation sponsored by Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), sometimes known as “Scooby’s Bill,” would help prevent accidental poisonings from antifreeze. The bill 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.
Wilson today strengthened the bill by sponsoring a key amendment passed 26-13 that requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency and State health and environmental officials from the states that have enacted laws already, to evaluate whether denatonium benzoate in antifreeze has an “unreasonable adverse effect” on the environment before the law would go into effect. The amendment also allows alternative bittering agents in the future if one is found that is as effective and safe for the environment as denatonium benzoate.
The Wilson amendment, responds to a concern raised last month at a hearing of the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Waste, on which Wilson serves. Dr. Melinda Eyrich, a veterinarian from Albuquerque, testified in support of the bill at that hearing, which was held at Wilson’s request.
“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,” Wilson said. “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.”
“Making antifreeze bitter only costs about 3 cents per gallon,” Wilson said. “This seems like a small price to pay to keep our children and our pets safe.”
Background
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.
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.
Broad 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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