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Pediatric Exposures to Laundry and Dishwasher Detergents in the United States: 2013-2014

Mallory G Davis1, Marcel J Casavant2, Henry A Spiller2

  • 1Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington;

Pediatrics
|June 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric exposures to laundry detergent packets are more severe than other detergent types, with higher rates of hospitalization and serious outcomes. Increased packet exposures necessitate monitoring and potential strengthening of safety standards.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Pediatric Health
  • Consumer Product Safety

Background:

  • Laundry and dishwasher detergents are common household products.
  • Detergent packets present a unique exposure risk, particularly for children.
  • Previous data on the comparative severity of packet versus non-packet detergent exposures in children is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze and compare pediatric exposures to packet and non-packet forms of laundry and dishwasher detergents.
  • To assess the severity of clinical outcomes associated with different detergent exposure types in children.
  • To identify trends in pediatric detergent exposures and inform safety recommendations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the National Poison Data System (NPDS).
  • Inclusion of children younger than 6 years old with detergent exposures from 2013-2014.
  • Comparison of exposure types (packet vs. non-packet, laundry vs. dishwasher) and associated clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Over 62,000 pediatric exposures to laundry and dishwasher detergents were recorded (2013-2014).
  • Exposures to laundry detergent packets and dishwasher detergent packets increased significantly (17.0% and 14.0%, respectively).
  • Laundry detergent packet exposures were associated with significantly higher odds of clinical effects, hospitalization, intubation, and serious medical outcomes compared to other forms.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric laundry detergent packet exposures are more severe than non-packet laundry detergents and all dishwasher detergents.
  • A 17% national increase in pediatric laundry detergent packet exposures highlights a critical public health concern.
  • Current voluntary safety standards require monitoring and potential strengthening to mitigate severe pediatric outcomes.
Abstract

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