New study finds laundry detergent packets more dangerous than other types of detergent

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-04/nch-nsf042216.php

Public Release: 25-Apr-2016
New study finds laundry detergent packets more dangerous than other types of detergent
Researchers urge families with young children to use traditional detergent instead of packets
Nationwide Children's Hospital

A new study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Central Ohio Poison Center found that exposure to laundry detergent packets is more dangerous to young children than exposure to other types of laundry and dishwasher detergent.

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In addition, the most serious clinical effects such as coma, trouble breathing, heart problems, and death, were only seen in children exposed to the chemicals in laundry detergent packets. The risks of having a clinical effect, a serious medical outcome, hospitalization, or intubation were significantly higher for children who had been exposed to the chemicals in a laundry detergent packet than for those exposed to any other type of laundry or dishwasher detergent. At least one child a day in the U.S. was admitted to the hospital due to a laundry detergent packet exposure. The two child deaths in this study were both associated with exposure to laundry detergent packets.

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Experts recommend that families with children younger than 6 years old use traditional detergent instead of packets. "Many families don't realize how toxic these highly concentrated laundry detergent packets are," says Marcel J. Casavant, MD a co-author of the study, chief of toxicology at Nationwide Children's Hospital and medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center. "Use traditional laundry detergent when you have young kids in your home. It isn't worth the risk when there is a safer and effective alternative available."

Parents and child caregivers can help children stay safer by following these tips:

People who have young children that live in or visit their home should use traditional laundry detergent, which is much less toxic than laundry detergent packets.
Store all laundry detergent including packets up, away, and out of sight - in a locked cabinet is best for laundry packets.
Close laundry detergent packet packages or containers and put them away immediately after use.
Save the national Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) in your cell phone and post it near your home phones.