{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000091","name":"Laundry Scent Booster Beads","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"laundry","tags":["fragrance","laundry","microplastics","encapsulated"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Dissolvable fragrance beads (Downy Unstopables, Gain Fireworks, etc.) added to washing machine for prolonged scent on fabrics. Encapsulated fragrance technology releases VOCs during wear and body heat activation. Contains cyclodextrin-encapsulated fragrance, PEG coating, dye. Concern: continuous dermal and inhalation fragrance exposure from treated clothing, undisclosed fragrance composition, and microplastic shell residues.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"insufficient_data","synthesis_confidence":0,"synthesis_method":"none","context_source":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["Continuous fragrance VOC exposure from body-heat-activated clothing","Undisclosed fragrance allergens in direct skin contact","Microplastic polymer shell residues on fabric"],"sensitive_populations":"Fragrance-sensitive individuals, infants wearing treated clothing, eczema sufferers","exposure_routes":"Dermal (continuous), inhalation (body heat release)"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal","inhalation"],"contact_types":[],"users":[],"duration":"all-day wear","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Dermal contact during handling of Laundry Scent Booster Beads (all-day wear contact)","Inhalation exposure during use of Laundry Scent Booster Beads"],"notes":"Fragrance released by body heat from clothing"},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":["Child access risk — colorful beads resemble candy","No fragrance ingredient disclosure","Use on infant/baby clothing"],"green_flags":["Child-resistant packaging","Fragrance-free alternative available"],"what_to_ask":["What fragrance ingredients are used?","Are the encapsulation polymers biodegradable?"],"alternatives":["Unscented laundry detergent","Wool dryer balls with essential oil drops","Line drying for fresh scent"],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":["CPSC (child-resistant packaging — looks like candy)","IFRA fragrance limits","EU Detergent Regulation 648/2004"],"certifications":[],"labeling":{},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":"container yes, beads dissolve in wash","disposal_guidance":"Recycle container; product dissolves","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"single use per wash load"},"formulation":{"form":"beads","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-mix-000047","name":"Fragrance / Parfum","role":"fragrance","concentration_pct":"30-50"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"PEG/PPG copolymer shell","role":"encapsulation","concentration_pct":"30-40"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Cyclodextrin","role":"fragrance_carrier","concentration_pct":"10-20"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Colorant (dye)","role":"aesthetic","concentration_pct":"<1"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-mix-000047","compound_name":"Fragrance / Parfum","role":"fragrance_blend","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"manufacturer":"","common_names":[],"aliases":[],"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-23"},{"type":"regulation","title":"CPSC (child-resistant packaging — looks like candy)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_ee1fd936"},{"type":"regulation","title":"IFRA fragrance limits","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_682a2a09"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Detergent Regulation 648/2004","jurisdiction":"","year":2004,"id":"src_d4ba9f47"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:29:10.520Z"}}