The safety of laundry pod films (water-soluble packaging films) has been strictly verified, with their core materials and design premised on “being harmless to humans and the environment.” Here’s an analysis from several perspectives:
Mainstream Material: Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Widely Recognized for Safety
Over 90% of laundry pod films worldwide are made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a biodegradable water-soluble polymer with the following safety features:
Food-grade compatibility: PVA itself is non-toxic and is used in medical and food packaging (such as some capsule shells and water-soluble packaging films). It meets safety standards set by authoritative organizations like the U.S. FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Complete water solubility: It dissolves quickly in water into a polymer solution, which is discharged with water without leaving harmful residues. Even if accidentally ingested (e.g., by children), it dissolves in the digestive tract and is not absorbed by the body, usually excreted through metabolism, posing minimal risk (though large ingestion should still be avoided, and storage out of children’s reach is recommended).
Production Standards: Strict Control of Additives to Avoid Harmful Ingredients
Qualified pod films, in addition to the PVA base material, may contain small amounts of plasticizers and lubricants to optimize flexibility and solubility. However, these additives must meet cosmetic or food-grade standards, and harmful substances like formaldehyde and heavy metals are strictly prohibited.
Formal factories conduct third-party testing (e.g., by SGS or Intertek) to verify the safety of the film material, ensuring that substances released after dissolution are non-irritating to the skin and water bodies.
Environmental Impact: Better Biodegradability Than Traditional Plastics
PVA can be decomposed into carbon dioxide and water in the natural environment (especially in water or soil with microorganisms), with a degradation cycle typically of 1-3 months, much shorter than that of ordinary plastics (hundreds of years).
However, its degradation efficiency is affected by environmental conditions (such as temperature and microbial activity). But compared to plastic bottles for liquid detergents, the environmental burden of pod films is lighter.
Precautions: Avoid Misuse and Accidental Contact
Child safety: Pods look similar to “jelly,” so they must be stored in child-resistant containers to prevent accidental ingestion (although the film is non-toxic, the high-concentration detergent inside may irritate the digestive tract).
Skin contact: Undissolved film itself is non-irritating, but prolonged contact with dry film is not recommended (some people may be sensitive to trace additives in the film). The dissolved solution after contact with water has similar skin irritation to ordinary liquid detergents.
Conclusion: Films of Compliant Products Are Safe
As long as you choose laundry pods sold through regular channels and meeting national/international standards (such as China’s GB/T 38727-2020 Laundry Pods, EU EC 1223/2009), the safety of their films is guaranteed. Manufacturers usually conduct multiple tests on the solubility, toxicity, and biodegradability of the film material to ensure its safety in use and environmental aspects.
We are especially produce and export the laundry detergent pods with different formula to meet different requirements from customers, and could supply you OEM and ODM service.
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Hebei Guangsheng Technology Co.Ltd
