Antifreeze Bittering Act

Every year thousands of animals, including companion animals and endangered species, are accidentally poisoned from ingesting antifreeze.

Why Do Animals Ingest Antifreeze?

The sweet taste of antifreeze attracts animals, but less than a teaspoonful can be fatal. Antifreeze containers that are not tightly sealed or discarded carelessly, spills along the road, and leaks on driveways can pose a threat to animals. Dogs are known to chew through containers to get at antifreeze.

Sadly, deliberate poisonings of animals are also a regular occurrence across the country. View a list of antifreeze poisonings.

A Legislative Solution

Many of these tragedies could be prevented by adding a few drops of a bittering agent to the antifreeze. This simple, life-saving step would cost very little to do.

The Antifreeze Bittering Act (H.R. 2567/S. 1110) is a federal bill to require the addition of denatonium benzoate (DB) to engine coolant/antifreeze to render it unpalatable. DB is the world’s bitterest known substance. Passage of this legislation will help save countless animal lives. In July 2006 the U.S. House Commerce committee held a favorable mark-up on the Antifreeze Bittering Act .more...

Factsheet on the Antifreeze Bittering Bill

DDAL Works with Diverse Groups for Bill Passage

The Consumer Specialty Products Association, representing the antifreeze industry, and Honeywell, the leading manufacturer of antifreeze, are working with DDAL to pass the Antifreeze Bittering Act. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Pet Food Institute 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 the Antifreeze Bittering Act.

Several federal laws already classify antifreeze as a hazardous substance. The veterinary school at Washington State University estimates that as many as 10,000 dogs and cats ingest antifreeze each year.