Health

Eugene

(61,914 posts) Mon Apr 25, 2016, 02:02 PM Apr 2016

Detergent Pods Remain a Danger for Young Children, Study Finds

Source: ABC News

Detergent Pods Remain a Danger for Young Children, Study Finds

By GILLIAN MOHNEY
Apr 25, 2016, 1:34 PM ET

Laundry detergent packets commonly known as "pods" are a growing safety issue for young children, according to a new study published today in the Pediatrics medical journal.

Researchers at the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, looked at 62,254 children under the age of 6 who were exposed, mainly through ingestion, to various forms of laundry and dishwasher detergent from 2013 to 2014, according to data from the National Poison Data System. Most of those who had been exposed were under the age of 3. While severe complications and death were rare among those exposed, researchers noted that the greatest number of exposures were to laundry and dishwasher detergent packets or "pods."

They found a 17 percent increase in children being exposed to laundry detergent packets and a 14 percent increase in exposure to dishwasher detergent packets over the study period. Additionally, they found children who suffered the worst complications, including hospitalizations and intubation, were more likely to have been exposed to laundry detergent pods than other kinds of detergent. Two deaths reported in the study were associated with laundry detergent pods.

Researchers' findings showed that "laundry detergent packets are more toxic than other types of detergents," according to the study, and they advised that households with children under age 6 should consider using traditional laundry detergent instead of the pods.

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7 replies

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Detergent Pods Remain a Danger for Young Children, Study Finds (Original Post) Eugene Apr 2016 OP

Or maybe just keep them where the kids can't find them... TreasonousBastard Apr 2016 #1

Overpriced and stupid. Just buy regular detergent--you never MADem Apr 2016 #2

My personal objection to them is that they SheilaT Apr 2016 #3

it is little steplaziness,like having premeasured anything, then you don't have to worry about hollysmom Apr 2016 #4

We bought these for my 87yo father-in-law. postulater Apr 2016 #5

It is true that they are incredibly convenient at times. SheilaT Apr 2016 #7

When this came up the last time I thought the manufacturers were going to use new opague packaging. leftyladyfrommo Apr 2016 #6

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)

1. Or maybe just keep them where the kids can't find them...

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Mon Apr 25, 2016, 02:05 PM

Apr 2016

and mistake them for treats.

MADem

(135,425 posts)

2. Overpriced and stupid. Just buy regular detergent--you never

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Mon Apr 25, 2016, 02:10 PM

Apr 2016

see a little kid trying to sneak a cup of Ivory Snow, or even TIDE.

What rocket scientist, when they were coming up with these dumb things, didn't think "Gee, maybe something that looks like a piece of candy might be problematic for little kids?"

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

3. My personal objection to them is that they

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Mon Apr 25, 2016, 02:11 PM

Apr 2016

are an incredibly expensive way to do laundry or dishes. I'm genuinely surprised that so many people use them.

hollysmom

(5,946 posts)

4. it is little steplaziness,like having premeasured anything, then you don't have to worry about

Reply to SheilaT (Reply #3)

Mon Apr 25, 2016, 02:20 PM

Apr 2016

spilling the contents and have to clean up. I probably use the in between stuff more - liquid soap. I had a new 1/2 gallon on the table next to the laundry, cap on, It was on the table in the basement, dog went down there because she won't go outside and her litter box is down there (not a little dog, don't ask) and somehow she pulled the liquid off the table and the cap cam off and coated the entire floor with the liquid, 5 years later and I still have not got it all cleaned up but lots of litter helped. Hint, do not try and wash it up. I went back to powder, but the pods were tempting.

postulater

(5,075 posts)

5. We bought these for my 87yo father-in-law.

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Mon Apr 25, 2016, 04:00 PM

Apr 2016

It makes it easier for him to do his laundry and dishes since his fingers aren't working so well anymore.

No children and no pets though.

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

7. It is true that they are incredibly convenient at times.

Reply to postulater (Reply #5)

Sat Apr 30, 2016, 12:09 AM

Apr 2016

Recently I was travelling, and wanted to do laundry at a hotel. Found the laundry room but there was no machine to purchase detergent from. I went to the front desk and they cheerfully gave me a detergent pod. They'd have as happily given me as many as I needed. This is another case where they are convenient.

I've been known to travel with my own pre-measured detergent for when I want to do laundry, and while it's actually pretty easy to do, it does seem a bit OCD.

leftyladyfrommo

(18,869 posts)

6. When this came up the last time I thought the manufacturers were going to use new opague packaging.

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Wed Apr 27, 2016, 12:08 PM

Apr 2016

These little pods just look like candy to kids. They are white with swirls of red and blue in them.

But I guess they didn't follow through because I looked at the store and tons of makers still have them in clear packages.

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