PUR · Refrigerator Filters
Denali Pure PUR Filter6 Refrigerator Water Filter Replacement
Lower-concern filter type, but PUR provides no PFAS transparency, request details before buying.
PUR's cartridge filters use carbon and resin, materials not inherently associated with PFAS in typical water filtration. However, PUR makes no public statement about PFAS-free manufacturing or third-party testing of this product.
Shop PUR on Amazon →Material
Activated carbon and ion-exchange resin 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 PUR Filter6 uses activated carbon and ion-exchange resin, the industry standard for refrigerator filtration. Activated carbon traps chlorine, taste, and odor compounds through physical adsorption; ion-exchange resin removes certain minerals and heavy metals by chemical exchange. Neither material is known to leach harmful substances into water under normal use, and both are FDA-approved filter media. The filter housing is typically plastic, which in refrigerator applications does not contact hot water and poses minimal leaching risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
PUR is owned by Helen of Troy and is a widely distributed brand with no major safety recalls specific to this filter model on record. However, PUR has not published third-party testing data or transparency statements about PFAS removal efficacy, which is increasingly important given PFAS contamination in many US water supplies. The brand holds NSF certification for certain filter standards but does not voluntarily disclose detailed test results or PFAS performance. This silence is not evidence of a problem, but it means consumers cannot independently verify claims about emerging contaminants.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator water filters are a low-risk category overall because they operate at cold temperature with no heat exposure, eliminating many material degradation hazards. PUR filters are competitively priced and widely available, positioning them in the mid-market tier; premium alternatives (such as those with additional specialty media) may offer targeted PFAS claims, but cost considerably more. Most refrigerator filters rely on the same core carbon-resin chemistry, so material safety is largely equivalent across brands. The main differentiator is transparency: some competitors (e.g., Glacier Fresh, Whirlpool OEM) publish NSF test summaries more openly.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 6 months or after 200-300 gallons, whichever comes first; a filter that is too old loses adsorption capacity and may trap bacteria. Store unused filters in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as activated carbon can absorb ambient odors. Do not attempt to rinse or reuse the filter. Check your refrigerator manual to confirm compatibility with your model, as PUR makes several variants and incorrect installation can bypass the filter entirely.
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 if neglected
Activated carbon filters can harbor bacteria if not replaced on schedule or if moisture accumulates in unused housing. This is a maintenance issue, not a material defect, and is preventable with timely replacement and proper storage of unused filters.
Plastic housing leachables (refrigerant-contact risk)
The filter housing plastic is in contact with cold water, not hot, and no documented cases of BPA or phthalate migration from PUR refrigerator filters exist. Refrigerator filters operate under low-stress conditions that minimize polymer degradation.
Incomplete contaminant removal if filter bypass occurs
Improper installation or a loose filter cartridge can allow unfiltered water to pass through. This is a user-error hazard, not a material hazard, but consumers should verify secure installation and confirm water flows through the filter, not around it.
PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") removal performance
PUR has not published data on PFAS breakthrough or removal rates for this model. Standard activated carbon can remove some PFAS, but efficacy is not guaranteed and depends on carbon type and contact time. Consumers in areas with known PFAS contamination should request independent test results from PUR or choose filters explicitly certified for PFAS removal.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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.