An estimated 10,000 animals die each year from anitfreeze poisoning. Why do animals ingest anitfreeze you may ask? Ethylene glycol is the culprit. Ethylene glycol has excellent heat transferring capabilities which is great for your vehicle but unfortunately when used in antifreeze products it has a sweet smell and naturally has a sweet taste which also makes it attractive to animals and children.
Wisconsin has just taken measures with a bill, A.B. 842, and its Senate companion, S.B. 663, which requires the addition of a bitter flavor agent to antifreeze to help prevent animals and children from ingesting the compound. The Humane Society of the United States along with Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee, and Sen. Jeff Plale, D-Milwaukee were instrumental in getting the bill together and passed. Even greater, the legislation was also supported by The HSUS, HSLF, Consumer Specialty Products Association and Honeywell International, manufacturers of Prestone®, one of the country’s best-known brands of antifreeze.
Other states are also working on similar bills including: Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Ohio. It is really great to see the consumer product groups working together with animal advocates and advocacy groups.
Story: The Humane Society of the United States
Tags: anitfreeze poisoning · cats · dogs4 Comments
That’s great news. I’ve heard about Antifreeze poisoning for a long time now and even know of a couple friends who’s pet cats have died due to anitfreeze poisoning.
Hopefully a similar bill gets drawn up for our state, California in the near future.
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Great article for bringing public awareness to dog owners and parents. Do you know if there are any other products out there, similar to antifreeze that could potentially cause harm as well?
Chris, thanks for the comment. Of the top of my head, I do not know of any other commercially common products that contain ethylene glycol or similar chemicals. However, ethylene glycol is used in some snow globes. If you ever break one, don’t let your pet lick up the mess.