Single use laundry pods are readily available in many homes. Due to their bright colors, they have been mistaken for edible products (e.g. candy) by children.
A recent study reviewed 4652 laundry pod exposures from United Kingdom.
95.4% involved children aged < 5 years via oral route (89.7%).
Asymptomatic: 1738 (37.4%)
Minor symptoms: 2728 (58.6%)
Moderate symptoms: 107 (2.3%)
Severe symptoms: 19 (0.4%)
Death: 1
Common symptoms in moderate/severe symptom groups, including fatality (n=127)
Vomiting: 75
Stridor: 34
CNS depression: 22
Keratitis/corneal damage: 21
Coughing: 18
Conjunctivitis: 13
Hypersalivation: 12
Foaming from the mouth: 11
Hypoxemia: 11
Conclusion
The majority of the laundry pod exposure occurs via oral route and result in no or minor symptoms
Although rare, respiratory, GI and ocular effect can occur after laundry pod exposure.
References
Day R, Bradberry SM, Jackson G, et al. A review of 4652 exposures to liquid laundry detergent capsules reported to the United Kigndom National Poisons Information Service 2008 - 2018. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2019 Mar 20:1-8. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2019.1590586. [Epub ahead of print]
