Product review (2 stars): Not meant for wet-use.
It did have a very distinct smell like that of a warehouse or industrial facility. Not the odorless scent of previous filters/wicks. Decided to give it a try anyways after 3 days of use observed yellowing of entire filter. Actually smelled worse and looked older than the 40+ day-old brand-name filter this was intended to replace.
Will not purchase again.
Note colon I don't believe this was a defect in manufacturing or design. Rather that this particular filter material is not intended for this type of moist and microbial rich scanrio. More likely meant for dry or limited exposure to moisture. Such as in car air filters or something similar.