OLYMPIA – With a big bipartisan OK on the House floor, Rep. Sherry Appleton’s bill to make highly poisonous antifreeze less tempting to kids and animals headed for the Senate Monday afternoon.
Through a strange accident of chemistry, ordinary antifreeze has a sugary taste that can attract attention from children and from animals, both wild and domestic. Despite that allure, however, the main ingredient of the product, ethylene glycol, is a highly toxic substance. Ingesting even a small amount can cause a long list of serious problems ranging from kidney failure to severe brain damage and death.
Several years ago, Appleton (D-23rd, Poulsbo) led a successful effort to require a bittering agent (typically denatonium benzoate) in retail containers of antifreeze manufactured, distributed or sold in Washington state. Wholesale or bulk quantities of 55 or more gallons were exempted at that time. Appleton’s new bill, HB 1095, removes that exemption.
“Thousands of people, including young children, die annually in the U.S. from antifreeze poisoning,” Appleton said, “as well as countless dogs, cats, raccoons, deer and other animals who are attracted to the sweet taste of untreated antifreeze. When we see a serious problem with a simple, inexpensive and effective solution, it makes no sense not to take action.”
HB 1095 was approved with a 79-17 vote in the House. If it’s passed by the Senate and signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, it will take effect 90 days after the Legislature’s scheduled April 23 adjournment.