PUR · Refrigerator Filters
Whirlpool 4396395 Pur Refrigerator Water Filter
Lower PFAS concern for a carbon-based refrigerator filter; limited public disclosure leaves moderate uncertainty.
Whirlpool's PUR 4396395 is a standard activated-carbon refrigerator filter with polypropylene housing, materials commonly used in point-of-use filtration that carry lower inherent PFAS risk. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS content or testing; third-party lab data on this model is not readily available.
Shop PUR 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 Whirlpool 4396395 uses activated carbon as its primary filtration medium, which is inert and does not degrade into hazardous chemicals during normal refrigerator use. The housing is polypropylene, a thermoplastic that remains stable at refrigerator temperatures (typically 35-40F) and has low leaching potential compared to older plastic types. Activated carbon itself is food-safe and widely approved for drinking water applications; it traps contaminants by adsorption rather than releasing substances into water. The polypropylene housing is not exposed to heat stress that would cause degradation or monomer release.
The brand's record and disclosure
PUR (part of Helen of Troy) has not published detailed material safety declarations or third-party certifications specific to this filter model in publicly available sources. The brand does not actively disclose manufacturing processes, supplier audits, or independent testing results for this refrigerator filter line. No significant recalls or contamination incidents for this specific model have been documented in FDA or consumer safety databases. The absence of transparency is typical for the refrigerator filter segment but leaves moderate uncertainty about upstream supply-chain controls.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator filters are a lower-risk category than cookware or non-stick surfaces because they operate at cold temperatures and contact water only briefly before it flows to use. The 4396395 is a standard dual-stage or multi-layer carbon design typical of OEM-compatible filters; it performs similarly to generic and name-brand alternatives in mechanical filtration. Activated carbon filters (as opposed to ion-exchange or membrane filters) do not require electrical activation or chemical regeneration, reducing process-related contamination risk. Whirlpool's version is competitively positioned but offers no unique safety advantage over certified competitors.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 6 months or after 300 gallons of use, as specified in the product literature; exhausted filters lose adsorptive capacity and may harbor bacterial biofilm if left in place too long. Store the filter in a cool, dry place before installation; do not expose it to heat sources or direct sunlight, which can degrade the polypropylene housing and reduce filter lifespan. Run water through the filter for 3-5 seconds before drinking after installation to flush loose activated carbon particles. Clean the filter housing and surrounding seals with a damp cloth during replacement to prevent mold or algae growth in the compartment.
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/microbial growth if unmaintained
Activated carbon can harbor bacteria if the filter is left in place beyond its rated lifespan or if the housing is not kept clean. This is not a manufacturing defect but a maintenance and replacement issue inherent to all carbon filters; follow replacement schedule strictly.
Loose activated carbon particles (inhalation/ingestion)
New filters may shed small carbon dust or particles. Running water through for 5 seconds before first use is standard practice and effectively flushes these; no toxic risk, but particles are unpleasant.
Polypropylene housing leaching
Polypropylene is stable at refrigerator temperatures and does not release BPA, phthalates, or other known endocrine disruptors under normal use. No documented leaching events reported for this filter model or comparable OEM refrigerator filters.
Inadequate contaminant removal (performance failure, not toxicity)
Activated carbon is effective for chlorine, taste, and odor but does not reliably remove all microbial pathogens, nitrates, or heavy metals at high concentrations. If source water quality is poor, this filter alone may not meet all safety standards; this is a limitation of the filtration method, not a product defect.
Cross-contamination from poor housing seal
No widespread reports of housing cracks, loose seals, or bypass leakage in this model. Proper installation and gasket seating are user responsibilities; defective units should be returned under warranty.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 68% 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.