Laundry pods are dangerous. a new study says

Laundry pods or those small and colorful packs of laundry detergents are indeed convenient but a new study revealed that it can be poisonous too.

According to  the data gathered by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, children from 2012 to 2013 have swallowed, inhaled or been exposed to laundry pods. Most cases involved children below 2 years old and below.

Consumption of laundry pods can cause vomiting, coughing and choking, eye irritation, drowsiness, mouth pain, difficulty breathing and windpipe injuries. Intake of liquid detergents and powders is less dangerous compared to intake of laundry pods that can result to much worse side effects according to research.

Researchers found when digested, it can lead to hospitalization including being admitted to ICU, some who fell into coma while others suffer significant altered mental state. During the study, one child died of laundry pod consumption.

“[When] a child gets into powders or liquids, they might want to take a taste of it, [and] get some accidentally on their fingers, and decide to clean their finger by popping it in their mouth,” he said. “Usually it’s a very, very, very small dose. In our experience, a child gets into a pod, gets the full dose, [and] can’t control how much gets into the mouth,” the researchers explained.

Researchers warns parents to be mindful when using laundry pods in order to keep their children from harm.