Samsung · Refrigerator Filters
Samsung DA29-00020B Refrigerator Water Filter
Lower-concern choice; carbon/ion-exchange filters are standard, but Samsung discloses nothing about PFAS.
The DA29-00020B uses activated carbon and ion-exchange resin, established filter media without known PFAS coatings. However, Samsung provides no public statement on PFAS testing, manufacturing practices, or post-filter water safety. No third-party certifications or lab data are publicly available.
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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 DA29-00020B uses activated carbon and ion-exchange resin as its filtration media, the industry standard for refrigerator filters. Activated carbon adsorbs chlorine, taste, and odor compounds; ion-exchange resin softens water by removing dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. Neither material is designed to leach harmful compounds into water under normal refrigerator operating conditions (cold, non-pressurized flow).
The brand's record and disclosure
Samsung does not publicly disclose testing data, certifications (NSF, WQA), or manufacturing standards specific to this filter model. No major safety recalls or contamination incidents linked to this filter are on record in public databases. The brand's silence on PFAS testing or removal claims is typical for the category but leaves buyers without third-party verification of contaminant removal effectiveness.
How it compares in its category
This filter is a direct-fit OEM product, so it performs identically to Samsung's specifications but lacks independent certification that many aftermarket carbon filters carry (e.g., NSF 42 certification). Aftermarket alternatives sometimes advertise additional testing or longer service life; genuine Samsung filters ensure exact fit and flow rate but offer no premium safety differentiation. Cost and convenience favor the OEM option for Samsung refrigerators.
If you buy it
Replace every 6 months or 300 gallons of use, whichever comes first, to prevent bacterial growth in saturated carbon media. Do not expose the filter to heat or pressure outside the refrigerator's normal operating range. Store in a cool, dry location until installation. Flushing the first 2-3 gallons of water after filter replacement is standard practice to clear any carbon dust.
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 media
Activated carbon can harbor bacteria if not replaced on schedule or if water sits stagnant in the cartridge. Proper replacement frequency (every 6 months) minimizes this risk. No product-specific incidents reported.
Filter housing leachables (plastic components)
The filter housing uses food-grade plastic typical of refrigerator filters. No reports of BPA or plasticizer leaching from this model. Housing materials are not exposed to elevated temperatures in refrigerator use.
Carbon dust contamination
Loose carbon particles may enter water if the filter is not properly seated or if the media breaks down. Flushing water through the filter before use (standard procedure) removes most loose dust. No health hazard from small amounts of food-grade activated carbon.
Incomplete contaminant removal without third-party testing
Samsung does not publicly certify removal rates for specific contaminants (lead, chlorine, sediment). Users cannot independently verify the filter's actual performance; reliance on the OEM's undisclosed specifications is required.
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.