The pod burst onto Luca's face, who began screaming and thereafter rubbed the toxic liquid all over her face and eyes (Pic: Kennedy News/iStock)
A four-year-old Australian girl has partially become blind after a laundry pod burst into her eye while she was helping her mother with the chores. Luca de Groot from Perth, along with her mom, Jodi, was putting clothes for washing when she bit into a washing pod while Jodi's back was turned.
The pod then burst onto Luca's face, who began screaming and thereafter rubbed the toxic liquid all over her face and eyes even before Jodi could do anything about it. Jodi then rushed Luca to the shower area to try and rinse the chemicals out.
However, when Luca's screaming and condition worsened, Jodi took her to the emergency room in the nearby hospital, where doctors rushed her into surgery after four attempts to flush her eyes out. Two surgeries were then conducted on Luca’s eyes, and thereafter, she received an amniotic membrane transplant to help promote healing.
After more than two weeks in the hospital, doctors said the shocking red, swollen, and blister-and-scabs-covered eyes had subsided a little after the dangerous exposure to the detergent. Her sight is yet to fully recover from the accident.
What is a laundry pod?
Also known as a washing capsule, a laundry pod is one of the newest ways to wash clothes by dropping it into a washing machine. The pods are easy to handle, the detergent is pre-measured, and there are no spills. The coating of the pod dissolves in the wash.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to laundry detergent in pods, especially among children aged five years or younger, is an emerging public health hazard. Doctors warn that children who bite into them and the harmful and toxic chemicals can be dangerous for their health. These can cause burns, breathing difficulties, and even death if ingested or if skin contact is prolonged. Children may mistake them for candy due to their colourful packaging and size.
How to store laundry pods to prevent health issues?
According to experts, if you prefer to use a washing pod instead of detergent, make sure to:
- Store laundry pods safely
- Keep them out of reach of children and store them in a locked cabinet
- Consider traditional detergents
- You can also alternatively use liquid or powder laundry detergents, which are generally considered safer for children
- Educate children
- Teach your kids that laundry pods are not for eating
- Contact poison control
- If you suspect someone has been exposed to laundry pods, contact the Poison Control Center immediately.
If your child has swallowed or chewed a detergent pod, bring them to the hospital without delay. A small amount of water can be given to carefully rinse out the mouth if possible. Do not induce vomiting or allow your child to eat or drink until further evaluation by a health care provider. Also, if their eyes get exposed, wash them immediately with clean water. If any part of the skin is involved, remove any clothing that may have been contaminated with the detergent and thoroughly wash the area with soap and water.
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