Child-Proof Laundry Pod Packaging

Subdivision 2 requires liquid detergent packets to be sold in child-re- sistant wrappers which are designed to prevent accidental exposure of children to liquid detergent.

Subdivision 3 provides that any liquid detergent packets sold or offered for sale must be designed in an opaque, uniform color that is not attractive to children and is not easily permeated by a child's bite.

Subdivision 4 requires that each liquid detergent packet be enclosed in a separate, individual, non-permeable, child-resistant wrapper contain- ing a warning stating, "WARNING: HARMFUL IF PUT IN MOUTH OR SWALLOWED. EYE IRRITANT. Keep out of reach of children."

Subdivision 5 requires every package of liquid detergent packets to contain a readable and conspicuously placed warning label stating that the products are harmful if swallowed or exposed to the eyes or skin and directing consumers to keep the packets out of reach and sight of chil- dren and contact a physician or poison control center immediately in case of exposure.

Justification

Over the past few years, there has been a rapid increase in accidental poisonings from liquid detergent packets. The high concentration of chemicals makes these products especially hazardous to small children, who may be attracted to their bright colors or mistake them for candy. From 2013-2015, there were over 49,000 reported cases of young children ingesting or inhaling the contents of liquid detergent pods. These inci- dents have had severe consequences, including seizures, cardiac and respiratory arrest, vomiting blood, pulmonary edema, gastric burns, coma, and even death.

In addition to small children, liquid detergent pods pose a risk to the elderly and disabled and endanger household pets. There have been several fatal accidents involving patients with dementia accidentally ingesting the contents of detergent packets, and each year the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center receives numerous reports of severe injury and death resulting from animals eating the pods.

In January 2018, a social media trend spread among teenagers known as the "Tide Pod Challenge." This "viral" trend entailed posting online videos of young adults biting into brightly colored liquid detergent packets, choking, and spitting out the soap. This dangerous activity underscores the need for stronger consumer protections to prevent the ingestion of these packets.

It is critical that we take precautions to reduce exposure to these toxic products and prevent life-threatening accidents. Current industry recommendations for laundry pods include warning labels and childproof containers, but these standards are not mandatory for manufacturers. This legislation will bring the regulation of detergent packets in line with other hazardous household products by requiring child-resistant packaging and clear warning labels informing consumers of the dangers of exposure. Additionally, the bill will require manufacturers to enclose each packet in an individual wrapper and change the design of laundry pods to make them less appealing to children. These common sense safety measures will ensure these potentially lethal products are not easily accessible to those most vulnerable.

Prior legislative history

S.0100-A of 2017-2018 (Hoylman): Died in Consumer Protection A.4646-A of 2017-2018 (Simotas): Died in Consumer Affairs & Protection S.6468-A of 2016 (Hoylman): Died in Consumer Protection A.8602-A of 2015-2016 (Simotas): Died in Consumer Affairs & Protection (2015)/Died in Codes (2016)

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

180 days after it shall have become a law.