Panasonic · Refrigerator Filters
Panasonic Refrigerator Water Filter 108850
Standard carbon filter, lower PFAS concern but no transparency.
Panasonic refrigerator filters typically use activated carbon and plastic housings without disclosed PFAS treatment. No public claims or certifications address PFAS content. Activation carbon itself has lower inherent risk than coated materials.
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Activated carbon filter media, plastic housing
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 Panasonic 108850 uses activated carbon as its primary filtration media, a proven adsorbent that traps chlorine, odor, and some volatile organic compounds. The housing is plastic (polypropylene or similar), which does not typically leach into water under the cold, low-pressure conditions of refrigerator use. Activated carbon itself poses no direct toxicity risk; the main consideration is whether the plastic housing or adhesives used in assembly can degrade or release contaminants over time or with water temperature fluctuations.
The brand's record and disclosure
Panasonic does not publicly release detailed material safety data or third-party certifications (NSF, WQA) for this specific filter model, which limits transparency around heavy metals, BPA, or manufacturing standards. The company has no known recalls for the 108850 unit. Panasonic's general appliance quality record is solid, but the filter category lacks the detailed disclosure that some competitors (like GE Dual Flow or Frigidaire) provide regarding filter composition and testing.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator filters are relatively simple and standardized; most use activated carbon with plastic housings and perform similarly on chlorine and taste/odor. The 108850 falls in the mid-market; it lacks NSF certification or published test results, placing it behind branded alternatives with third-party validation but ahead of unbranded knockoffs with no track record. Cost and compatibility matter more than safety differentiation in this segment, as housing leachate is a low-probability risk under normal refrigerator conditions.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 6 months or per manufacturer guidance, even if water flow remains acceptable, to avoid carbon saturation and potential bacterial biofilm growth inside the cartridge. Do not expose the filter to temperatures above 30°C (86°F) before installation, as some plastics can degrade slightly at elevated heat. Flush the first 2-3 gallons of water through a new filter to clear loose carbon dust. Store replacement filters in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve plastic integrity.
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.”
Plastic housing leachate (BPA, phthalates)
No recalls or published test data indicate leaching from the 108850 plastic housing under normal refrigerator conditions. Cold water and low pressure minimize any migration risk, but Panasonic does not disclose plastic resin type or BPA/BPS content.
Bacterial and mold colonization in filter media
Activated carbon filters can harbor bacterial biofilm if not replaced regularly, especially in warm or humid storage conditions before use. This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect; replacement every 6 months mitigates risk.
Carbon dust inhalation during installation
Loose activated carbon particles may be released when handling or installing a new filter. Rinsing the cartridge first and avoiding inhalation during unboxing minimizes exposure; risk is low for typical single-use filters.
Adhesive or sealant residues
No published data on adhesives used to bond filter layers or seal the cartridge. Cold-water exposure and low-pressure refrigerator applications make solvent leaching unlikely, but Panasonic provides no composition disclosure.
Activated carbon particle shedding over time
As activated carbon ages and becomes saturated, fine particles may enter filtered water. Regular replacement (every 6 months) prevents this; filters left in service beyond their useful life pose a greater risk.
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.