November 10, 2014 — The journal Pediatrics has published a study of laundry detergent pods, finding that about one child is poisoned every hour.
It is the first comprehensive study of data from the National Poison Data System. From 2012-2013, about 17,230 children under the age of 6 were injured by laundry detergent pods, 700 children were seriously sickened, and at least one child died. About 8% of children had a “moderate or major medical outcome,” including 4.4% who were hospitalized.
The death was a 16 month-old boy who chewed a packet, swallowed the detergent, and went into cardiac arrest. He was resuscitated, but died a few days later.
The researches found that about three-quarters of incidents involved children under 3 years old. About 80% of injuries occurred after the child swallowed the detergent. Injuries like corneal abrasions can also occur after a child squirts the detergent into their eyes.
In the past, laundry detergent wasn’t a major cause of poisonings in children. The problem with “pods” is that they contain a highly-concentrated formula with a higher amount of surfactant compared to regular detergent. These ingredients are more likely to cause serious side effects in children.
Another problem is that the products resemble candy — they are brightly-colored, sweet-smelling, squishy, candy-sized objects that were originally packaged in clear containers that resemble candy jars.
Big-name manufacturers like Costco’s Kirkland brand and Proctor & Gamble’s Tide have re-designed the jars to be opaque with child-resistant lids and prominent warning labels. Some off-brand and generic manufacturers continue to sell products in clear containers with flimsy lids.
Do I have a Laundry Detergent Pod Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting laundry detergent induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child or somebody you know was poisoned by a laundry detergent pod, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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