Child poison fear on laundry pods

ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard says children appear to be highly attracted to the laundry products. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Limited

CHILDREN mistaking laundry detergent pods for toys and lollies are suffering skin irritations, vomiting and temporary blindness from chemical exposure.

The nation's consumer watchdog is warning parents to store the liquid capsules properly after dozens of reports to poison call centres.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is working with industry body Accord Australasia to improve the safety of the pods through redesigned packaging and prominent warning labels.

"Children who have either ingested these laundry capsules or have been exposed to them have experienced symptoms such as severe skin irritations, coughing, drowsiness, vomiting and even temporary blindness," ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.

The concentrated detergent capsules rapidly dissolve when moist. Exposure to chemical content can occur within 10 seconds.

"Laundry capsules often come in transparent plastic packaging shaped similar to lunchboxes, and children appear to be highly attracted to these products as they can be mistaken for toys or confectionery," Ms Rickard said.

"The capsules are small enough to fit in a child's hand or be taken into their mouth, and can easily burst."

Poison call centres have dealt with 85 cases in the past 18 months, most involving children under five.

Accord Australasia policy director Craig Brock said new safety guidelines were due to be published.

"Whilst they are safe when used as instructed, liquid laundry capsules should be handled in accordance with label directions and, as with any other household cleaning products, kept well away from children," he said.

The Poisons Information Centre can be contacted on 13 11 26.

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