OriginClear · Refrigerator Filters
Culligan IC-100A Icemaker/Refrigerator Water Filter
Lower-concern water filter; activated carbon does not require PFAS, but manufacturer silence on materials is a gap.
The Culligan IC-100A is a standard activated carbon/sediment refrigerator filter with no public PFAS claims or certifications. Activated carbon filtration itself carries minimal PFAS risk, carbon and sediment media are not PFAS-bearing materials.
Shop OriginClear on Amazon →Material
Activated carbon filter media, plastic 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 IC-100A uses activated carbon as its primary filter medium, a well-established technology for chlorine, taste, and odor removal in refrigerator water systems. The housing is plastic (likely polypropylene or similar food-contact polymer), which sits outside the primary water flow and poses minimal leaching risk at refrigerator temperatures (below 10 degrees Celsius). Activated carbon itself does not degrade or release harmful compounds into cold water; it functions passively as an adsorbent. No lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals are known to be present in standard activated carbon filter construction for this application.
The brand's record and disclosure
OriginClear (Culligan's parent or distributor) maintains minimal public transparency on filter material sourcing, manufacturing locations, or third-party testing results. No product-specific recalls, contamination reports, or safety violations for the IC-100A are on public record. The brand does not publish PFAS avoidance statements or water-quality certification data (e.g., NSF, WQA), which is a disclosure gap but not evidence of a hazard. For a low-cost replacement filter, transparency is below industry best practice but does not suggest active product risk.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator water filters are low-risk compared to cookware or textiles because water remains cold and the housing is passive. The IC-100A's activated carbon design is standard and comparable to OEM filters and generic aftermarket alternatives; no material advantage or disadvantage exists relative to other carbon-only icemaker filters. Filters that combine carbon with ion-exchange resin (e.g., some PUR or Brita models) may reduce more contaminants but are not necessary for safety, they improve taste. The plastic housing and sealed design minimize any risk of bacterial colonization if cartridges are replaced on schedule.
If you buy it
Replace cartridges every 6 months or after 300 gallons of water, whichever comes first; delayed replacement can reduce effectiveness and allow bacterial biofilm growth on the carbon surface. Do not remove the filter and run it under hot water or expose it to temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, as this can release absorbed compounds. Allow tap water to run for 1-2 minutes after installing a new cartridge to flush carbon fines. Store unused cartridges in a cool, dry place and inspect the plastic housing for cracks or deformation before installation; discard if damaged.
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 media
Activated carbon can harbor bacteria if cartridges are not replaced regularly or if the system is left unused for extended periods. This is a maintenance issue, not a material defect, and is prevented by following replacement intervals.
Carbon fines in water
New carbon filters may release fine particles into water immediately after installation. This is cosmetic and harmless but can be eliminated by running water for 1-2 minutes before use, as recommended by most manufacturers.
Plastic housing leaching at temperature extremes
The plastic housing (polypropylene or similar) is not exposed to heat in a refrigerator environment and poses no known leaching risk for BPA, phthalates, or other plasticizers at cold temperatures.
Activated carbon effectiveness degradation
Activated carbon does not chemically degrade in cold water; loss of effectiveness is due to saturation of pores with contaminants, not material breakdown, and is controlled by timely cartridge replacement.
Contaminant re-release under pressure or temperature shock
No established risk of re-release of absorbed contaminants from activated carbon in refrigerator filter applications; the low flow rate and stable cold temperature minimize any such mechanism.
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.