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ALBANY (AP) -- A senator wants more protections for the colorful, tightly wrapped "pods" of gel laundry and dishwashing detergent that children may think is candy.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer notes the increasingly popular single-use, gel packages of detergent can be toxic and have made thousands of children sick nationwide. Some were hospitalized.

He says there have been dozens of isolated reports in New York of kids getting sick after eating the pods.

Schumer wants a child-protective lid and a warning label on the detergent.

Schumer is releasing a letter Sunday to the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission seeking the precautions.

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