Daikin · Refrigerator Filters
Culligan IC-100A Icemaker/Refrigerator Water Filter
Lower concern. No PFAS typical in carbon/PP filters, but no disclosure.
This replacement filter uses activated carbon and polypropylene, materials not typically treated with PFAS. Culligan does not publicly disclose PFAS status, which is common for this category.
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Activated carbon and polypropylene filter media
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The IC-100A uses activated carbon as its primary filtration medium, which is inert and does not leach chemicals into water under normal refrigerator conditions. The housing and media structure are polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic that is chemically stable below 100°C and not typically exposed to temperatures that would cause degradation or leaching in a refrigerator application. Activated carbon itself is biologically inert; the main function is mechanical and chemical adsorption of chlorine, taste, and odor compounds. No ceramic, lead-based, or epoxy coatings are present in the advertised construction.
The brand's record and disclosure
Culligan (owned by Daikin) has not published specific third-party test data or certifications (NSF, WQA) publicly available for the IC-100A model in readily accessible sources. The brand maintains a general reputation for water treatment but does not prominently disclose material sourcing, manufacturing standards, or post-use disposal guidance on this specific filter. No major recalls, contamination incidents, or safety disputes have been documented for this model in public health records. Daikin's parent ownership suggests adherence to basic regulatory compliance but does not substitute for transparent product-level disclosures.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator filters of this type typically use activated carbon or carbon-block media with polypropylene housings; the IC-100A is standard in construction and does not differ materially from generic OEM or aftermarket alternatives. Most competitors (Whirlpool, GE, Samsung OEM filters) are similarly opaque on detailed material sourcing and third-party certification. The advantage of Culligan branding is supplier visibility and replacement availability; the trade-off is slightly higher cost than unbranded alternatives without demonstrated safety superiority. No category-wide hazard that distinguishes this product unfavorably has been identified.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 6 months or 300 gallons (per manufacturer guidance), or earlier if water flow drops noticeably or taste/odor returns. Do not attempt to wash and reuse; activated carbon loses effectiveness once saturated and cannot be reliably regenerated. Store unused filters in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent polypropylene embrittlement. After installation, run water through the dispenser for 30 seconds before drinking to purge any loose carbon dust or storage residue; this is routine and not indicative of a defect.
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 (biofilm formation)
Activated carbon can harbor bacteria if the filter housing remains wet and unused for extended periods or if replacement intervals exceed recommended timelines. This is a maintenance risk, not an inherent material hazard, and is manageable through timely replacement and proper storage of unused filters.
Polypropylene housing degradation
PP is chemically stable in refrigerator conditions (below 40°F operating, not heated). No documented cases of leaching or structural failure of PP refrigerator filter housings at these temperatures have been established in public safety databases.
Activated carbon dust inhalation (minor handling risk)
Fine carbon dust can be released during filter removal or installation if handled roughly. This poses a very low inhalation risk in household use; brief exposure to powder is not known to cause acute toxicity, but it is an irritant. Standard practice (rinsing water through the new filter before use) minimizes this.
Heavy metals or contaminants in carbon feedstock
Activated carbon sourced for drinking water filters is expected to meet FDA Food Contact Substance guidelines, but Culligan has not published third-party verification (e.g., NSF certification) for the IC-100A. No recall or contamination reports specific to this product exist in public records.
Improper disposal (non-biodegradable waste)
Spent filters cannot be composted and contribute to landfill waste. This is an environmental rather than consumer health hazard, but Culligan does not advertise a take-back or recycling program for used filters, which is typical for the refrigerator filter category.
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
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✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Kenmore
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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
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✓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.