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GA Senate OKs Antifreeze 'Chief's Law'

The state Senate has overwhelmingly passed a bill requiring that manufacturers change the taste of antifreeze.

State Senator Judson Hill presented the bill to the chamber.  It is aimed at preventing the poisoning of pets and humans.

"Hopefully, none of us know that antifreeze has a sweet or a semi-sweet taste," said Hill.  "This bill requires that all antifreeze sold in Georgia now include a chemical that will make antifreeze bitter."

The bill passed 43-4, and must go back to the state House for a minor change approval before its final passage.

The poisonous properties of the sweetish liquid used to cool engines were highlighted in the trial of Lynn Turner, who was convicted in 2004 of killing her husband, Glenn Turner, with antifreeze in 1995.  She was already serving a life sentence when she was convicted in 2007 of fatally poisoning boyfriend Randy Turner in 2001, likely by lacing drinks or foods like Gatorade and Jell-O with antifreeze.

The Humane Society of the United States says an estimated 10,000 animals are poisoned each year after ingesting ethylene glycol, the highly toxic substance used in auto antifreeze and coolant.  The liquid causes kidney failure, and the early symptoms can mimic intoxication or flu.  Children and domestic pets may drink large quantities of the liquid because of its sweet taste.

State Representative Tommy Benton introduced the bill on behalf of a Jefferson woman whose dog, Chief, died after eating meat a neighbor had laced with antifreeze.

According to a 2010 legislative fact sheet by Georgia Legal Professionals for Animals in support of the bill, the Poison Control Center says 6,000 children suffer the same fate annually, and that over the previous three years in Georgia, an average of 241 people were reported to Georgia Poison Center after having suffered antifreeze poisoning.  Most cases are not deadly, and patients are treated in hospitals.

For pets in particular, however, very small amounts of antifreeze can be fatal.  Veterinarians say if a cat walks through a puddle of the liquid, and then licks its paws, that can be fatal.  Five tablespoons is enough to kill a medium-sized dog, according to information from Washington State's College of Veterinary Medicine.

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