Laundry Detergent Chemicals

• Laundry detergent contains several chemicals that can be poisonous if ingested or absorbed through your skin. They include calcium hypocrite, sodium hypocrite and sodium tripolyphosphate. Many powdered detergents also contain sawdust, which can irritate skin.
  
  

Effects

• Calcium hypocrite and sodium hypocrite are corrosive chemical compounds. They can irritate your skin and burn your eyes. If ingested, they can cause fluid buildup in your lungs and stomach upset; in large quantities it can cause coma. Sodium tripolyphosphate irritates mucus membranes and can trigger vomiting if swallowed.
  
  

Solutions

• Small children can mistake white powdery laundry detergent for sugar. To protect them from poisoning through ingestion, store the detergent on high shelves or behind child-proofed cabinet doors. All-natural laundry detergents contain fewer poisonous chemicals, although they should not be ingested, either.