AVOID ANTIFREEZE POISONING

Antifreeze poisoning kills some 10,000 pets every year. The culprit is ethylene glycol, which is traditionally the primary ingredient in most brands of automotive antifreezes.

Ethylene glycol has an appealing smell and sweet taste; unfortunately, it is also a deadly toxin that can kill in very small doses. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be lethal to a cat; for a 20-pound dog, it would take less than a tablespoonful. The result is that animals who happen upon even small spills of antifreeze often suffer an agonizing death. And it's not only domestic animals who fall prey; children are sometimes affected as well, as are countless wild animals.

The real tragedy is that antifreeze poisoning is entirely preventable. Today, there are several brands of antifreeze based on propylene glycol, which is much less toxic than ethylene glycol and has the advantage of being bitter-tasting as well. And there's even better hope for the future: The Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2005 would require that a bittering agent be added to all antifreeze sold in the United States. Three states have already passed such legislation locally, but if this federal act makes it into law, antifreeze poisoning could become a thing of the past nationwide.

• Switch to a brand of anti-freeze based on propylene glycol. Currently available examples include Sierra Antifreeze and Prestone LowTox, or you can ask your mechanic for suggestions.
• Be vigilant. Even antifreezes based on propylene glycol are toxic to some degree, so never leave any antifreeze out, no matter how small the quantity or how short a time. Check your car regularly for leaks, and keep all containers sealed and out of the reach of animals and children.