Of The "Tide Pod Challenge": And Of "Off-Target" Effects -- In Teenagers' Throats...

39 "poison incidents" handled in the first 15 days of 2018, here in the US. I feel a bit silly even typing this. And, in truth, a bit like a grumpy old guy for making an entire post of this -- but I gather it needs to be repeated. The so-called "Tide Pod Challenge" is stupid -- and dangerous.

Stupid kids do. . . stupid things. This one could get them killed, so I'll not link to any YouTube video purporting to show the stunt. The meme is to snapchat oneself whilst chewing up a Tide-Pod (or similar). Foaming at the mouth is (I gather) the hoped-for visual effect. Seizures, respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, and burns to the esophagus are among the more common ACTUAL "off-target" effects. [1,4 Dioxane is great for getting your clothes bright and clean, diluted in about three gallons of water -- but is potentially lethal when ingested in concentrated doses.]

Of course, there is no reason to ingest concentrated laundry detergent -- so all effects are "off-target". The molecule at right, an acid called 1,4 Dioxane is in the pods in significant concentrations, and will burn the throat lining, the esophagus and the lungs, if aspirated. [Martin Shkreli recently endorsed the meme (from his Brooklyn jail cell) through a surrogate -- on Facebook. He has given an acolyte access to his FB account, apparently. Charming.]

Also of course, Tide Pods are completely safe in your washing machine -- just not. . . your mouth.

From the American Association of Poison Control Centers -- a presser, dated yesterday:

. . . .According to AAPCC data, in 2016 and 2017, poison control centers handled thirty-nine and fifty-three cases of intentional exposures, respectively, among thirteen to nineteen year olds. In the first fifteen days of 2018 alone, centers have already handled thirty-nine such intentional cases among the same age demographic. Ingestion accounted for ninety-one percent of these reported exposures.

“The ‘laundry packet challenge’ is neither funny nor without serious health implications,” said Stephen Kaminski, JD, AAPCC’s CEO and Executive Director. “The intentional misuse of these products poses a real threat to the health of individuals. We have seen a large spike in single-load laundry packet exposures among teenagers since these videos have been uploaded.”

The resulting health implications from misuse can be serious. Known potential effects include seizures, pulmonary edema, respiratory arrest, coma, and even death. . . .

Now, maybe this is a good extra-credit lesson, for the regular track and AP level chem classes in our public high schools: a lesson delving into what these acids do to mucous lined internal tissues. All that would be needed would be any mammalian cadaver (throat parts, and lungs, essentially). . . as I've long held that nothing teaches like. . . seeing it, live. Here endeth my sermon. Do get out and enjoy the clear cold weather outdoors -- I know I will!

नमस्ते