The number of annual cases of accidental exposure to water-soluble liquid detergent pods is now more than twice that of conventional liquid detergents. This is why the General Directorate of Health reminds parents of the need to store all household products out of the reach of their children.
More than 7500 accidents since 2005
From 2005 to 2012, 7,562 accidental exposures to the liquid contained in these washing powder pods were recorded by the poison control and toxicovigilance centers. Among them, 104 cases were classified as serious (with severe respiratory complications and eye damage).
They were mainly children under 5 years old (92% of cases), 7% of whom were under one year old. Exposure was essentially oral, ocular or cutaneous, often multiple. The symptoms were digestive (vomiting, irritation, lesions of the mucous membranes), ocular (conjunctivitis, damage to the cornea), respiratory (cough, breathing difficulties, infections) and cutaneous (irritation, burns).
“The characteristics of liquid detergent pods explain this increase in the number of accidents” underlines the General Directorate of Health. “Children are attracted by their often attractive color and easily pick them up because of their small size. In addition, the envelope of the detergent capsule, intended to break on contact with water, also breaks when it comes into contact with water. contact with saliva as soon as the child puts it in the mouth.The liquid, highly concentrated in
surfactants, is very aggressive for the skin and mucous membranes, even corrosive in the event of prolonged contact. In addition, its viscosity makes it difficult to clean the mucous membranes” insist the health authorities.
What to do in case of an accident
On the skin : rinse immediately and thoroughly for about ten minutes, after undressing if necessary.
In the mouth : clean the mouth well with a washcloth or a clean damp cloth to remove as much product as possible. Avoid drinks for two hours but give to eat a compote, a dessert cream, bread or cakes to absorb the product and line the digestive mucosa.
in the eye : Wash the eye under a trickle of water, if possible lukewarm, including under the eyelids for about ten minutes (tap water is very suitable).
In all cases, call a poison control center for immediate medical advice appropriate to the situation. And in case of breathing difficulties, call 15 without delay.
