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Re: Potassium Permanganate for Sharp Plasmacluster Refill?

Sharp Power User writes:

Hello Ed -

It's been a while since I last contacted you. I hope you are well!

As you may remember, I've been running two Sharp FP-P60CX air cleaners in my apartment.

My primary concern is second-hand tobacco smoke that occasionally leaks in from an adjoining apartment (although I'm sure there are all sorts of other goodies to filter out in our New York City air).

Following your advice, I've refilled the Sharp's carbon bags with fresh carbon every nine months or so.

So far, I've used the 100 percent coconut shell carbon from EL Foust, which I've been very happy with.

I now need to reorder some more carbon, and a person at EL Foust suggested that their "Standard Mix" of 60 percent coconut shell carbon and 40 percent potassium permanganate might work better for my purposes.

I'm a bit concerned about using an oxidizer such as potassium permanganate full time in my living/sleeping space.

Any thoughts about the safety of potassium permanganate in this application?

I realize that several of your favorite air cleaners use a potassium permanganate mix in their carbon filters, so I assume it's probably ok...

Best wishes,

Sharp Power User.

Ed's Reply

Hey SPU;

I do NOT recommend using Potassium Permanganate/carbon mixtures in any washable filter.

Potassium permanganate is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula KMnO4. It is a strong oxidizing agent which effectively breaks down aldehydes, very common air pollutants which do not adsorb well to activated carbon.

I don't think there is a problem where the oxidizer is sealed in disposable filters as used in the IQAirs, Austins, and others. With a quality HEPA downstream, there is little chance of direct exposure to any dust.

In the Sharp bag refill situation, users are handling the mixture directly, probably inhaling a bit.

But the big problem for washable filters is that KMnO4 dissolves in water, turning it a bright purple color. Air-purifier-power users have reported that after washing the purple out, the crystals turn white.

One user has reported burning his fingers while using Potassium Permanganate mix to refill a Sharp bag.

This issue was just coming onto the radar, you are right on target as usual.

Best wishes,

Ed

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