Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

An Air-liquid Interface Bronchial Epithelial Model for Realistic, Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particles for Toxicity Testing
09:29

An Air-liquid Interface Bronchial Epithelial Model for Realistic, Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particles for Toxicity Testing

Published on: May 13, 2020

12.9K

Airway compromise in children exposed to single-use laundry detergent pods: a poison center observational case series

Paul E Stromberg1, Michele H Burt2, S Rutherfoord Rose1

  • 1Division of Clinical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA; Virginia Poison Center, Richmond, VA; Department of Emergency Medicine, VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA.

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|January 17, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Laundry detergent pods (LDPs) can cause serious harm, especially in young children. Accidental exposures, particularly ingestion, may lead to airway compromise and central nervous system depression, requiring prompt medical attention.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Consumer Product Safety

Background:

  • Single-use laundry detergent pods (LDPs) have been available since 2001 in Europe and 2010 in the US.
  • Previous case reports indicated potential for serious adverse effects including vomiting, ocular and respiratory issues, and central nervous system depression.
  • This study summarizes clinical outcomes from unintentional LDP exposures reported to a poison control center.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the clinical effects of unintentional exposures to laundry detergent pods.
  • To identify the most common routes of exposure and associated symptoms.
  • To inform healthcare providers about the potential toxicity of LDPs, particularly in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A 15-month period of poison center records (January 2012 to April 2013) was retrospectively reviewed.
  • Electronic records were searched using product and generic codes for laundry pod exposures.
  • Clinical effects were abstracted and summarized using descriptive statistics.

Main Results:

  • 131 cases were identified, predominantly in toddlers (median age 2.0 years).
  • Ingestion was the most common exposure route (120 cases), with 34% requiring hospital evaluation and 9 pediatric admissions.
  • Admitted children frequently experienced emesis (78%), upper airway effects (56%), and central nervous system depression (22%), with 67% requiring intubation.

Conclusions:

  • Laundry detergent pod exposure can result in significant toxicity, particularly in infants and toddlers.
  • Clinicians must be aware of the potential for airway compromise following LDP exposure, which may be more severe than with traditional detergents.
  • Prompt medical evaluation and management are crucial for children with suspected LDP exposure.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery06:09

Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery

Published on: February 14, 2019

7.5K
Impact Assessment of Repeated Exposure of Organotypic 3D Bronchial and Nasal Tissue Culture Models to Whole Cigarette Smoke09:50

Impact Assessment of Repeated Exposure of Organotypic 3D Bronchial and Nasal Tissue Culture Models to Whole Cigarette Smoke

Published on: February 12, 2015

11.7K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
5.3K
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
16
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
67.3K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
2