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Hundreds of kids harmed by detergent 'pods,' study says

 
Accidental poisonings from squishy laundry detergent packets sometimes mistaken for toys or candy landed more than 700 U.S. children in the hospital in just two years, researchers report. Coma and seizures were among the most serious complications. [Associated Press]
Accidental poisonings from squishy laundry detergent packets sometimes mistaken for toys or candy landed more than 700 U.S. children in the hospital in just two years, researchers report. Coma and seizures were among the most serious complications. [Associated Press]
Published Nov. 10, 2014

CHICAGO — Accidental poisonings from squishy laundry detergent packets sometimes mistaken for toys or candy landed more than 700 U.S. children in the hospital in two years, researchers report. Comas and seizures were among the most serious complications.

The cases stem from the more than 17,000 poison center calls about the products received in the past two years. The calls involved children younger than 6, and most weren't seriously harmed. But one child died in 2013, and the potential risks highlight a need for even safer packaging, the researchers said.

Some manufacturers have revised packaging and labels in efforts to make the detergent packets or "pods" safer for children. The study found that calls dipped slightly after some of those changes were made.

The products contain concentrated liquid laundry soap and became widely available in the United States two years ago. Some are multicolored and might look enticing to young children. Poisoning or injuries, including mouth, throat and eye burns, can occur when kids burst the capsules or put them in their mouths.

In the study, 144 had eye injuries, 30 went into comas and 12 had seizures.

The researchers examined 2012-13 data from the poison centers. Their study was published online today in Pediatrics.