Frigidaire · Refrigerator Filters
Frigidaire EPTWFU01 PureSource Ultra II Refrigerator Water Filter
Lower concern; standard carbon filter without known PFAS-prone materials, but brand makes no PFAS claim.
The PureSource Ultra II uses activated coconut-shell carbon as its primary filtration medium, a conventional material not typically associated with PFAS. No published data implicates this filter in PFAS contamination, and Frigidaire offers no disclosure either way.
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Coconut-shell carbon filter media
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
The EPTWFU01 uses coconut-shell activated carbon as its primary filtration medium, a well-established material for chlorine, taste, and odor reduction in potable water. Coconut-shell carbon is inert when wet and does not leach heavy metals, BPA, or other endocrine disruptors into water under normal refrigerator operating conditions. The filter housing is typically food-grade polypropylene, which is stable at cold temperatures and does not degrade into microplastics or leach chemicals in a refrigerator environment.
The brand's record and disclosure
Frigidaire (owned by Electrolux) does not publicly market this filter with specific chemical safety certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 or 53, though the product meets basic potable water standards in most jurisdictions. The brand has not issued recalls or disclosed contamination issues with the EPTWFU01 in public records. Frigidaire maintains a silent stance on PFAS in water filters and does not publish third-party test data on leachate or microcontaminant release.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator filters as a category carry minimal hazard risk compared to pitcher filters or countertop units because they operate at cold temperatures where chemical migration is slowest. The EPTWFU01 is comparable to most OEM filters in material composition; third-party NSF-certified alternatives (such as some Whirlpool or LG filters) may offer more transparent testing, but coconut carbon alone does not inherently outperform or underperform. Cost and replacement frequency (typically 6 months) are the primary consumer decision factors, not safety differentiation.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 6 months or after 300 gallons, whichever comes first, to prevent bacterial biofilm buildup inside the housing. Do not allow water to sit stagnant in the reservoir for more than a few days if the refrigerator is unused. Run water through the filter for 2 to 3 minutes after installation to flush carbon dust. Store unopened replacement filters in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve carbon adsorption capacity.
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
Coconut-shell carbon can support microbial colonization if the filter is not replaced on schedule or if water stagnates. Frigidaire does not disclose maintenance intervals or housing sanitization recommendations beyond standard replacement frequency.
Carbon dust and fine particles
New carbon filters may release loose particles into water if not flushed before use. This is a known issue with activated carbon filters and requires a brief flush period; Frigidaire's documentation includes this step.
Housing material leaching
Polypropylene housing is chemically stable at refrigerator temperatures and does not release BPA, phthalates, or other plasticizers under normal use. No recalls or test findings document leachate from the EPTWFU01 housing.
Degradation of filter seal over time
Rubber or silicone seals in the filter head may degrade if exposed to certain water chemistry or after prolonged cold exposure, potentially allowing unfiltered water to bypass the carbon bed. This is a durability issue rather than a chemical hazard but affects filter efficacy.
Inadequate removal of emerging contaminants
Coconut-shell carbon is effective against chlorine and some organic compounds but has not been tested or rated for PFOA, PFOS, or other PFAS "forever chemicals" by Frigidaire. Standard carbon filters are not engineered for PFAS reduction.
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.