I bought some laundry detergent PODS this past month–little pre-measured capsules of laundry detergent you can just throw in the wash. They were on sale and seemingly convenient, an easy alternative to measuring out drippy detergent. It didn’t even cross my mind they could be risky. That kind of (typical) oversight is what leads to potential injuries in our homes.
Trouble with these delightfully-colored PODS is that they look like toys and they will dissolve rapidly in liquid or saliva. That combination of good looks and good dissolution sets toddlers up for a potential rapid ingestion. The Washington State Poison Center has sent out an alert to emergency departments around the state detailing potential dangers from PODS ingestions. Toddlers in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Toronto, Canada have developed peculiar difficulties after ingesting PODS that are unusual for detergent ingestions. Some toddlers have required emergent, intensive care — short term intubation (breathing tubes), change in alertness, vomiting, and seizure-like activity after ingestions. Ophthalmologists have reported eye injuries. Because the PODS contain super-concentrated liquid detergent packaged beautifully, toddlers may mistake them for a toy and do what toddlers do best: put it in their mouth. The PODS capsule is engineered to dissolve rapidly in water so will do the same in a child’s mouth. From what we know now, exposures to PODS need to be treated with higher caution than those of typical laundry detergent.
Spread the word about proper storage for these PODS. Keep them up and out of reach. If you’re ever concerned about any ingestion, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If you ever forget the phone number, just Google it—the number will always be the first hit when you type in “poison control.”
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Melissa Mark says
Also, beware of skin contact with this product. I am a peds resident who treated a child in our ER for minor skin burns after he burst a pod on his chest.
Krystal Anonymous says
YEAH ITS COMMON KNOWLEDGE! Don’t sue for your lack in protecting and parenting.
John Oliver says
Thank you for sharing this news Dr. Swanson! Thought you might like to know that it appears the Detroit Free Press gave you a bit of a shoutout at the end of this article: https://goo.gl/rEIOO… that is of course assuming you’re the “blogging pediatrician” they’re referring to. 😉
Khanh Linh says
Please write about how to deal with bullies, dear Dr. Swanson. Thank you very much.
Katt says
Umm isnt keeping cleaning solutions and laundry detergent OUT of childrens reach common knowledge…or are some parents just expecting their children to look out for themselves?!?!?! like duh….PUT IT UP!!!! out of childrens reach I use pods and it says on the container…”keep out of reach of children” so if you cant read please learn…or dont have kids?!?!?! Simple…
Katie B. of HousewifeHowTos.com says
I can’t tell you how many home decor or DIY bloggers I’ve seen suggest putting these pods in pretty glass containers or Mason jars in the laundry room. Of course kids are getting into them — they look like Mommy’s hidden stash of candy!
Glad to know they’re going to be changing the packaging, but it’s too bad companies keep having to do things like that to overcome some peoples’ lack of common sense.
Bonnie J Mheshe says
Manyy of us depend on “convenience items” to be independent, and able to live comfortably. I use detergent pods because I’m in a wheelchair, using common laundry facilities. If you were to individually wrap pods, I couldn’t unwrap them. We’ve already lost use/access of Aim-n-flames, most OTC medications, beauty/hygiene/cleaning products and many other items in the name of safety. I love children. I’m just saying by overdoing safety, were making things too hard for those who need their availability the most.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Thanks for this comment, Bonnie. Really appreciate the perspective.