Frigidaire · Refrigerator Filters
Frigidaire PureSource Ultra Refrigerator Water Filter
Lower-concern choice for a refrigerator filter; common materials pose minimal PFAS risk, but Frigidaire makes no public commitment.
The PureSource Ultra uses activated carbon and standard polypropylene construction, materials with minimal documented PFAS risk. Frigidaire does not publicly disclose or certify PFAS-free status. Independent lab data for this specific model is not publicly available, so confidence relies on material composition norms for carbon filters.
Shop Frigidaire on Amazon →Material
Activated carbon & polypropylene housing
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 PureSource Ultra uses granular activated carbon as the primary filtration medium, which is inert and widely used in water treatment without known leaching hazards under normal refrigerator conditions. The housing is polypropylene (plastic #5), a relatively stable thermoplastic that does not release BPA or BPS in cold-water applications at the low pressures and room temperatures typical of refrigerator filters. Activated carbon itself is not a source of heavy metals or microplastics if properly manufactured and does not degrade into particles under passive water contact.
The brand's record and disclosure
Frigidaire does not publish specific safety data sheets, third-party certifications (NSF/ANSI 42 or 53), or public PFAS commitments for this filter line. The brand is owned by Electrolux and has no documented history of major filter-related recalls or contamination incidents in consumer channels. Absence of certification claims limits independent verification of contaminant reduction rates and housing material purity, though this reflects industry norm for mid-market refrigerator filters rather than a red flag.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator filters are generally lower-risk than pitcher filters or whole-home systems because they do not concentrate contaminants and operate at low flow rates. The PureSource Ultra is comparable to generic replacement filters in material class; brands like GE, Whirlpool OEM, and Frigidaire's own baseline models all use similar activated-carbon-plus-polypropylene designs. Premium alternatives (certified NSF filters from brands like EveryDrop or Culligan) offer third-party testing and public accountability but command 2-3 times the price for marginal additional safety assurance in most municipal water systems.
If you buy it
Replace every 6 months or per manufacturer guidance (typically 200 gallons or 6 months, whichever comes first); extended use beyond this window increases bacterial biofilm risk inside the cartridge and can reduce filtration efficacy. Do not expose the filter to freezing temperatures before installation, as ice formation may crack the housing or disrupt carbon bed integrity. Store the filter in a cool, dry place before use; do not leave it sitting in water or exposed to direct sunlight. Run water through the filter for 30 seconds before dispensing for drinking to clear any loose carbon dust from manufacturing.
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 activated carbon bed
Granular activated carbon can harbor bacterial biofilm if filters are not replaced on schedule (6 months) or if the refrigerator dispenser line is not kept clean; this is a general risk for all carbon-based water filters, not specific to Frigidaire, but user maintenance is critical.
Polypropylene housing leachables
Polypropylene #5 is stable in cold water and does not release BPA, BPS, or phthalates under normal refrigerator conditions; no documented leaching issues for this material class in published safety literature or consumer reports.
Activated carbon dust ingestion
Loose carbon particles may be present from manufacturing or cartridge settling; running water through the filter for 30 seconds before first use mitigates this. Ingested carbon dust in small amounts is inert but unnecessary.
Contaminant concentration or bypass
Without NSF certification, contaminant reduction rates and bypass (unfiltered water leakage) are not independently verified; the filter may not adequately remove chlorine, sediment, or other contaminants depending on source water chemistry and cartridge integrity.
Housing material degradation over time
Polypropylene is resistant to cold water and does not degrade under normal refrigerator operating conditions; no field reports of cracking, leaching, or structural failure specific to this product line.
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.