A popular personal air quality device is being recalled due to a potential fire hazard. The PurpleAir device, which many use to track outdoor pollutants through the WiFi-enabled devices, have a power supply that could spark or smoke. In a voluntary safety recall notice, PurpleAir wrote that they “received twenty-six reports in the United States of instances where the power supply model number RKPO-UL052000C emitted sparks or smoke. In response to these reports, PurpleAir is notifying all customers of a voluntary safety recall in which PurpleAir will replace power supply model number RKPO-UL052000C free of charge. This power supply model number was shipped with PA-II and PA-II-SD air quality sensors prior to August 3, 2018.”
This is a very popular, widely used device. During the Kilauea Volcano eruption on Hawaii, many residents there bought the $230 device to track the quality of air in their yards when readings by state and local officials were far or few between. On the mainland, people in the western United States used it to track air quality as smoke from wildfires billowed through. In the East, residents used it to track industrial-related pollution and haze.
In many instances, people bought these devices and donated them to community schools, libraries, and shelters. Because entities that installed these donated devices didn’t buy them, PurpleAir doesn’t have their contact information to alert them of this recall. “We understand that some customers purchased multiple air sensors and distributed them to volunteers and participants in air monitoring initiatives,” said Purple Air in a statement. “We do not have contact information for those who received air sensors in this manner. If you or your organization distributed PA-II or PA-II-SD air sensors to others, we ask for your assistance to inform the recipients of the importance of replacing power supply model number RKPO-UL052000C. We ask that you send us the names and contact information of those who received a PA-II or PA-II-SD air sensor through your organization and we will distribute this letter and power supply replacement information to everyone on your list. Or, if you prefer, you can let us know how many air sensors you distributed and you can forward this email to those recipients.”
Those with the faulty power supplies are being provided instructions with what to do with the recalled unit. In short, they need recalled power supplies unplugged and destroyed, with pictures of the destroyed powersupply sent to PurpleAir for replacement. More details can be seen here: https://www.purpleair.com/recall
