Wilson Vetoes Coolant Additive Bill

A bill to require anti-freeze and engine coolant manufacturers to add a bitter agent to their products to make them unattractive to children and animals has been vetoed by Gov. Pete Wilson.

The measure, which would have compelled companies to add denatonium benzoate, or Bitrex, to the toxic but sweet-tasting products was sponsored by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria).

“I am very disappointed that the governor seems to be turning his back on protecting children in California,” O’Connell said.

Two teaspoons of anti-freeze can be fatal to children, O’Connell said.

An endangered California condor was killed near Pyramid Lake last October after swallowing anti-freeze. And a 2-year-old New York boy died several years ago after drinking sweet-tasting anti-freeze in his parents garage.

In vetoing the legislation, Wilson said the bitter substance is not proven to be effective in preventing poisonings.

Bitrex is used in cosmetic products such as perfume and hair spray, said Mitchell Tracy, a spokesman for Henley Chemicals, a New Jersey-based company that manufacturers the product.

Tracy said that because of Bitrex’s intensely bitter quality, the company would not consider marketing it directly to parents who could add it to toxic products.

“I would not want to be responsible for teaching young parents to be chemists when they are trying to raise toddlers,” he said.