Brita · Refrigerator Filters
Brita Refrigerator Filter Whirlpool Kitchenaid Kenmore Wprf100
Lower concern for typical carbon-based water filters; Brita does not disclose PFAS use in formulation.
Brita refrigerator filters use activated carbon and ion-exchange resin, materials not inherently associated with PFAS. The brand makes no public PFAS claims or disclosures for this product. Standard water filters are considered lower risk, though comprehensive third-party testing data for this specific model is not publicly available.
Shop Brita on Amazon →Material
activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, plastic cartridge
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This cartridge uses activated carbon as its primary filtration medium, paired with ion-exchange resin to reduce chlorine taste, odors, and some dissolved minerals. The plastic housing is typically polypropylene or polyethersulfone, materials chosen for food-contact safety and durability at refrigerator temperatures. The carbon and resin do not leach into water under normal use because they are inert once activated and do not dissolve in cold water.
The brand's record and disclosure
Brita does not publicly disclose whether PFAS compounds are intentionally used in filter formulations, which is standard silence in the consumer water-filter industry. The brand holds NSF/ANSI 42 certification for chlorine and taste reduction, confirming third-party testing of performance claims. No recalls or contamination incidents specific to this Whirlpool-compatible cartridge have been documented. Brita's parent company (Tronos) has faced no major safety scandals tied to refrigerator filters.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator filters are among the safest water-treatment products because they operate passively at low temperature with no heat activation or pressure that could degrade materials. This Brita cartridge is OEM-compatible, meaning it meets Whirlpool's specifications for fit and performance, which adds a layer of supplier vetting. Most competitors (GE, Kenmore, Frigidaire) use nearly identical carbon-resin technology with similar disclosure gaps on PFAS.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 6 months or sooner if water flow noticeably slows, as clogged filters can harbor bacterial growth in the housing. Do not attempt to reuse or clean cartridges; they are single-use consumables. Ensure the cartridge is fully seated and the housing is dry before refilling to prevent mold. Store unopened filters in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve resin performance.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Bacterial growth in filter housing
If cartridges are not replaced on schedule or housing is not rinsed periodically, stagnant water in the filter chamber can support microbial growth. This is a maintenance issue, not a material defect.
Plastic housing leachables
Polypropylene and polyethersulfone housings are approved for cold food contact and do not leach BPA, phthalates, or other known endocrine disruptors at refrigerator temperatures. No recalls or test failures on record for this product line.
Carbon dust in filtered water
New filters may release fine activated-carbon particles into water for the first few liters. Running water through an unused cartridge for 15-20 seconds before use minimizes this; it poses no known health risk but may affect taste or appearance.
Resin degradation over time
Ion-exchange resins are stable in cold water and do not degrade into harmful compounds during normal 6-month use cycles. No evidence of breakdown products leaching into drinking water under typical refrigerator conditions.
Improper installation and seal failure
If the cartridge is not fully seated, unfiltered water can bypass the media entirely. This is a user-error risk, not a material safety issue, but can allow contaminants to pass into drinking water.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Refrigerator Filters
Kenmore
9690 Refrigerator Water Filter 1-Pack, Nsf/wqa/iapmo Certified, Reduces 99% Chlorine & Odor, BPA-Free, Replacement for 46-9690 469690 Lt700p
activated carbon filter cartridge
Lower-concern water filter; carbon-based design unlikely to contain PFAS, but Kenmore makes no explicit PFAS disclosure.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Kenmore
Pureline Filter Compatible with Whirlpool Everydrop Filter 1
Activated carbon and fiberglass filter media
Lower concern for PFAS; standard cartridge filter with no known PFAS-bearing materials, but brand offers no transparency.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Clearly Filtered
Water Pitcher Replacement Filter 3-Pack
Activated carbon and ion-exchange resin filter media
Lower-concern option; activated carbon filters are standard PFAS-reduction media, but verify pitcher durability and actual tested removal rates independently.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
More refrigerator filters grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.