Exposure to Liquid Laundry Detergent Packets Remains High Despite Safety Measures

Study finds increased exposures among older children, teens, and adults, with nine deaths reported; experts call for stricter safety standards.

Despite declines in the number, rate, and severity of exposure to liquid laundry detergent packets among children younger than six, the exposure burden remains high, according to a new study.
Exposures have increased among older children, teens, and adults, with nine deaths associated with the ingestion of laundry detergent packets, all involving adults, seven of whom were older than 70 years.
Although safety standards and public awareness campaigns have improved the safety of these products, experts believe there is still room for improvement, including requiring Poison Prevention Packaging Act-compliant packaging and individual packaging for each laundry packet.
Liquid laundry detergent packets are more toxic than traditional liquid and powder laundry detergents, but the reasons for this increased toxicity are not fully understood.
Healthcare providers are encouraged to continue counseling patients and their families about the hazards associated with laundry detergent packet exposures and recommend the use of traditional laundry detergents for families with young children or vulnerable adults.