PUR · Refrigerator Filters
PUR Push-Button Refrigerator Water Filter W10186667
Lower-concern water filter; no PFAS disclosure, but activated carbon filters are not typical PFAS sources.
PUR's push-button refrigerator filters use activated carbon and coconut shell media, standard cartridge materials not typically associated with PFAS contamination. The brand makes no public PFAS claims or disclosures.
Shop PUR on Amazon →Material
Activated carbon, coconut shell media, filter cartridge
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 W10186667 uses activated carbon derived from coconut shell as its primary filtration media, a well-established food-contact material with no documented leaching hazards under normal refrigerator use. Coconut-shell carbon is mechanically porous, not chemically reactive with water, and does not release particles or compounds into drinking water at refrigerator temperatures (typically 35-40°F). The cartridge housing is food-grade plastic designed for cold storage only, which eliminates thermal degradation concerns present in countertop or heated filters.
The brand's record and disclosure
PUR (owned by Waterdrop/Helen of Troy) does not publicly disclose third-party testing results or certifications for this specific model on its website or packaging. The product carries NSF/ANSI claims for chlorine reduction on the packaging but provides no independent lab reports for other contaminants. PUR has no known product recalls or safety violations tied to this filter line; the brand operates in a category with minimal regulatory oversight for private-label filters.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator filters occupy a low-risk segment because they operate at cold temperatures and see no pressure cooking or high heat. The W10186667 is typical in design (replaceable cartridge, coconut carbon) and sits in the mainstream of OEM and aftermarket options with no material safety disadvantage. Unlike pitcher filters or faucet-mounted alternatives, it avoids standing water accumulation if replaced on schedule, reducing bacterial regrowth risk.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 6 months or 200 gallons per PUR guidance to prevent bacterial biofilm buildup in the cartridge. Ensure the cartridge is seated firmly in the housing to prevent bypass leakage. Do not expose the filter to freezing temperatures or attempt to clean and reuse it; activated carbon cannot be regenerated and becomes a bacterial reservoir once saturated. Store replacement cartridges in a cool, dry place and check the housing for cracks or discoloration before installation.
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 saturated filter
If not replaced on schedule (every 6 months), activated carbon becomes waterlogged and can harbor pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas. This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect, but affects safety if ignored.
Housing material leaching (plastic cartridge shell)
The filter housing is cold-only and food-contact grade. No reports of BPA, phthalates, or other plasticizer migration in refrigerator filter housings at standard operating temperatures. The coconut carbon media itself does not leach compounds into water.
Carbon fines or microparticles in water
New or improperly seated filters may release fine activated carbon particles initially. Flushing the filter with water for 30 seconds before first use mitigates this. Subsequent particle release is rare if the cartridge remains intact.
Bypass leakage if misinstalled
Unfiltered water can bypass the cartridge if the housing is cracked, the cartridge is not fully seated, or the seal degrades. Inspect the cartridge and housing for visible damage and ensure a firm click during installation.
Formaldehyde or resin contamination in filter media
Coconut-shell activated carbon is thermally processed but not treated with formaldehyde resins in food-grade production. No recalls or warnings exist for this product line on this hazard.
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.