Leslie’s, the largest direct-to-consumer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry, is urging consumers to stop using chlorinating tablets sold on Amazon and other third-party sellers under imported product brand names originating outside the U.S. These products do not bear the required Environmental Protection Agency label and could cause harm to swimmers, the environment and pool equipment.
“It’s important that everybody involved with swimming pool water treatment is aware of this matter,” says Phil O’Haver, category director of pool chemicals at Leslie’s. “Without the EPA label, people should not assume that these chlorinating products will keep pool water safe and free from harmful contaminants or that they are generally safe for people and the environment.”
David Van Brunt, a YouTube creator, podcaster, coach and pool service business owner, says pool professionals should be aware of these products, so they can help customers make informed decisions.
“The customer needs to be educated to some extent,” Van Brunt says. “They should know that a product should be EPA-registered to be used. Amazon’s not going take it upon themselves to say, ‘Hey, these aren’t EPA-approved.’ ”
Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, sanitizing products like chlorinating tablets must be registered with the EPA and have labeling that includes an EPA Registration Number, EPA Establishment Number and the name of the product’s manufacturer or distributor.
“As the U.S. industry leader in pool care and a trusted partner to consumers, we believe it’s important to raise the potential risks from using chlorine tablets that do not bear the mandatory EPA labeling,” O’Haver says. “Our priority is consumer safety, and we want to provide access to content that educates and informs residential pool owners, pool service companies and commercial pool owners and operators.”
In addition to bather safety, Van Brunt says customers should understand that these could potentially harm the pool itself.
“You have no idea if the warning label has been vetted,” Van Brunt says. “You have to really be careful of your investment because you don’t want to be using something that’s going to stain the pool or damage it or just be unsafe for swimming.”
The brand names listed below are currently sold in 1-inch and 3-inch tablets in 2.65, 5 and 8-pound packages and do not include this mandatory EPA labeling. Without the EPA label, pool owners should not assume that these chlorinating products will keep pool water safe and free from harmful contaminants or that they are generally safe for people and the environment.
“Just the names of the product should be a red flag,” Van Brunt says. “Just like anything else — if you buy shoes, you’re going buy a brand name shoe — something that’s not brand name is not going to have the same quality.”
Leslie’s encourages pool owners to read labels closely when purchasing any pool sanitization products and chemicals from retailers.
“We support the EPA in their efforts to ensure pool products are safe for consumer use, and we want to ensure all pool owners are informed of these potentially harmful products, so we can make the upcoming 2023 swim season safe for all,” says Mike Egeck, CEO of Leslie’s.
The imported chlorine tablets are sold under the following brand names*:
- Rayyakicg
- Womtri
- Mr.Bee
- Superpool
- Yumitis
- LushRoyale
- Adevit
- Wisive
- Lonko5Ding
- Flyjoy
- G-Mood
- Ghantoy
*After the publication of this article, Amazon removed the products listed above. However, there are several pool chemicals without EPA labeling still available on Amazon.
