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Vt. Legislature passes bill to prevent antifreeze poisoning of pets

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MONTPELIER — The Legislature has passed a measure that will save countless animal lives and prevent childhood emergencies by requiring antifreeze to have a bittering additive. The bill now awaits Gov. James Douglas’ signature into law, representatives of the Humane Society of the U.S. said Tuesday.

The bill, H.6, requires that an aversive agent be added to antifreeze products sold in Vermont.

“Tragic cases of poisoning occur when antifreeze is inadvertently spilled in driveways or left in open containers in garages,” Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund said Tuesday.

The bill would require that engine coolant/antifreeze that has more that 10 percent ethylene glycol must also contain denatonium benzoate, the world’s bitterest known substance, Amundson said. It makes the anti-freezing substance unpalatable to animals and humans alike, she said.

Hundreds of children and thousands of animals, including companion animals and endangered species, are accidentally poisoned each year from ingesting antifreeze, Amundson said. Its sweet taste attracts them, while less than a teaspoon can be fatal, she said. In Vermont alone, from 2005-2008, 72 people, 11 dogs and three cats exposed to antifreeze, according to the Northern New England Poison Center, representatives of HSUS said.

“Eight other states have passed similar antifreeze legislation to promote animal protection and public safety,” Amundson said. “We applaud the Vermont Legislature for taking this critical step to protect children and pets in the Green Mountain State and we encourage Governor Douglas to sign H.6 into law.”

Reps. Tony Klein, D-East Montpelier and Janet Ancel, D-Calais, sponsored the bill, HSLF representatives said. "We’re grateful to Vermont lawmakers for quickly passing this life-saving measure," said Joanne Bourbeau, senior state director of HSUS for Vermont. "By requiring antifreeze to contain a bittering agent, countless animals and children will be protected from exposure to this deadly poison."

The bill was supported by the Humane Society Legislative Fund, The Humane Society of the United States, the Consumer Specialty Products Association and animal advocates from across Vermont, officials with HSUS said.

With the signing, Vermont will join the eight other states that have adopted similar legislation. They include Arizona, California, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, HSUS officials said.

tom.mitchell@rutlandherald.com