Topic: Paging Mr. KenC to the courtesy phone, please.
FireChicken
11 Secret Herbs & Spices
Member # 2067
posted
Do you remember that law that you mentioned to us awhile back, about requiring manufactureres of radiator coolant to put a bittering agent in it? I have not heard anything about it lately, and have not been able to find any information on it. Do you happen to know if it passed or not, or even if it has come up for vote?
Posts: 686 | From: Texas: Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck! | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
A simple GOOGLE.com and U.S. House of Representatives search reveals:
Congressman Gary Ackerman 5th District - New York Queens and Long Island
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release Contact: Jordan Goldes May 29, 2003 (718) 423-2154
ACKERMAN SEEKS TO COMBAT ANTIFREEZE POISONING AMONG CHILDREN AND PETS IN QUEENS & LONG ISLAND
U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.) today introduced legislation requiring antifreeze to contain a bittering agent to render the substance unpalatable to pets and children, helping to assure they would no longer drink the poisonous chemical.
Each year, more than 90,000 pets and animals and 4000 children accidentally ingest antifreeze from driveways, puddles, curbside road spills and the bottle itself. Children mistake the substanceĦs look and sweet taste for either a soft drink, juice or other beverage and animals are naturally attracted to the chemicalĦs sweet smell and rich flavor.
"This issue has long been a problem particularly in Queens and Long Island where there is so much open space along our roadways" Ackerman said. "It poses a danger to our youngsters playing outdoors, dogs being walked by their owners, cats being let out of the house and even stray animals such as birds, squirrelĦs, raccoons, etc."
Ingestion of antifreeze is often fatal and in cases where death does not occur, it nonetheless causes extreme sickness such as a lack of appetite, spastic motion of the eyeballs, dizziness, abdominal pain, respiratory arrest or cardiovascular collapse, coma or acute renal failure with uraemia. Skin absorption can also contribute to the systemic poisoning. Individuals who drank tiny amounts (75-100 ml) of ethylene glycol (the chemical in antifreeze) and survived initial acute effects because of quick a emergency response, died later (3 to 17 days) from kidney failure.
Under the legislation, manufacturers of antifreeze whose products contain more than 10 percent ethylene glycol would be mandated to add the bittering agent denatonium benzoate or an equivalent substance at a minimum of 30 parts per million in all containers for sale to the public that are 55 gallons or less. The process would be easy to do and cost only pennies per gallon. This requirement is already law in California and Oregon and is pending in Nevada.
Antifreeze is a product that is used to prevent freezing as well as overheating in motor vehicles. It is usually formulated with ethylene glycol, which is poisonous even in minute quantities. Spills occur when vehicles leak the substance, overheat or when the chemical is changed or replaced. Although antifreeze will biodegrade in the environment, it takes weeks or months to do so.
The Ackerman bill has both Democrats and Republicans as cosponsors and itĦs endorsed by Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports Magazine.
Sponsors: Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)
NM co-sponsors: none
APV position: SUPPORT
Bill Status: H.R. 1563 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee
What the law would do: The Antifreeze Safety Act, to require engine coolant and antifreeze sold in the United States "to contain a bittering agent so as to render it unpalatable to humans and animals."
Why it is needed: The bill is welcomed by animal guardians nationwide, as a remedy to the thousands of needless animal deaths caused by the ingestion of antifreeze. Countless companion animals and wildlife die an agonizing death every year after drinking spilled antifreeze, attracted by its sweet taste. Requiring manufacturers to add a bittering agent is a common sense solution.
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by KenC: even some "scared husbands"...... hahahahahaha
You know, this brings up a short hijack opportunity. (I'll make it quick.)
I used to work w/a lady who did a term paper for college on things women have done to sabotage their husbands.
She said that one woman confessed to having put sawdust in meatloaf and feeding it to her beloved. (yuck!)
The reason she did this paper is because when she used to get pissed off w/her husband, she'd make him Cat Food Casserole. He loved it. She figured if she did this sort of thing, what did other wives do.
You guys out there better be writing to your State Rep's to get a bittering agent in Antifreeze!
(now, back to the original NFB thread)
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Dumb question #1: If they're concerned about antifreeze that spills from wrecks and the like why exempt 55 gallon and larger containers? Would that not exempt new cars?
Dumb question #2: Why would we return to our NFB thread ...I have antifreeze in the F-body Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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