WATCH ABOVE: A new study shows that up to 17,000 calls have been made to poison control centres in the U.S. in the last 2 years for children under 6 years old who have mistakenly swallowed laundry detergent pods.
TORONTO – They’re colourful little packets that look like candy or toys. A U.S. study warned that more than 700 kids have been rushed to hospital from accidental poisonings after ingesting laundry detergent packets.
Now, Canadian health officials say they’re reviewing the household item that’s causing alarm.
So far, Health Canada says its received 138 incident reports linked to poisonings from squishy laundry detergent pods.
READ MORE: Detergent pods poisoned more than 700 U.S. children in 2 years
Of those, 117 were international incidents, 13 were confirmed Canadian cases and eight were from unknown locations. Those 13 accidental poisonings didn’t result in death but the majority were considered serious cases.
“Health Canada is aware of this risk and is carefully monitoring these products. We have regularly communicated to Canadians about the risk that detergent packets can pose since they came into the market in 2012,” Health Canada spokesman Sean Upton told Global News.
“Parents are reminded of the importance of keeping them carefully stored out of sight and reach of children.
In a 2012 consumer advisory, the federal agency warned parents and caregivers that the laundry detergent is of concern. Children who swallow the packs could encounter severe abdominal pain, vomiting or difficulty breathing.
Right now, Health Canada is working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and industry officials to develop safety standards, Upton said. It’s also collaborating with the Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres to track reports of accidental ingestions.
READ MORE: Parents call for change after product sample nearly kills toddler
The U.S. study says that poison control centres received more than 17,000 calls about the products in the past two years. The calls typically involved kids younger than 6 and most weren’t seriously hurt.
One child died last year, though.
Some manufacturers already have revised packaging and labels in an effort to make the detergent packets or “pods” safer for children. The study found calls dipped slightly after some of those changes were made.
The products contain concentrated liquid laundry soap and became widely available in the U.S. two years ago. Some are multicolored and may 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.
– With files from the Associated Press
carmen.chai@globalnews.ca
Follow @Carmen_Chai
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