Samsung · Refrigerator Filters
Samsung DA97-17376B Refrigerator Water Filter HAF-QIN/EXP
Lower-concern choice; standard carbon/resin filter without known PFAS red flags, but Samsung provides no explicit PFAS disclosure.
Samsung's HAF-QIN/EXP uses activated carbon and ion-exchange resin, common, well-established filter media not inherently linked to PFAS manufacturing. The plastic housing (polypropylene) is a standard food-contact material.
Shop Samsung on Amazon →Material
activated carbon, ion-exchange resin, 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 HAF-QIN/EXP uses activated carbon granules and ion-exchange resin to remove chlorine, sediment, and some dissolved minerals from refrigerator water lines. Polypropylene housing contains these materials and contacts filtered water directly. Activated carbon and ion-exchange resins are inert under normal cold-water use and do not leach toxic compounds when functioning properly, though their effectiveness degrades over time as pores become saturated.
The brand's record and disclosure
Samsung has not published explicit PFAS-free statements for this filter line, which reflects a broader industry pattern of minimal water-filter transparency rather than a known contamination issue. The company maintains Samsung Water Filter certification through third-party labs, but these typically verify chlorine reduction, not PFAS presence or absence. No recalls or safety complaints specifically targeting this model are on record.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator filters of this type are among the lowest-risk water treatment products because they use passive filtration (no electricity, no heating) and contain no known problematic flame retardants or coatings. Compared to under-sink carbon filters or pitcher filters, this model carries less risk of housing degradation or bacterial colonization, provided it is replaced on schedule. Third-party certified filters from brands like Brita or EveryDrop offer equivalent or slightly better transparency, but do not represent a meaningfully safer material choice.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 6 months or per Samsung's usage indicator; expired filters lose effectiveness and may harbor bacterial growth in the housing. Do not exceed the filter's rated flow rate by forcing water through; this can rupture the polypropylene housing and release resin particles or degraded carbon into your water. Store filters in a cool, dry place before installation. If water quality drops noticeably or flow slows sharply, replace the filter immediately rather than attempting to clean or reuse it.
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 housing if unmaintained
Polypropylene housing and residual moisture create conditions for microbial colonization if filters are not replaced on schedule. Risk is low with 6-month replacement intervals but increases significantly if filters remain installed beyond 9-12 months.
Polypropylene housing degradation and particle release
Polypropylene can become brittle and crack over time, especially if exposed to temperature extremes or high water pressure. Cracking may release small plastic particles; no recalls document this for this specific model, but degradation is a known material-class risk.
Resin leaching if housing breached
Ion-exchange resins are stable when contained, but mechanical damage to the housing could allow resin beads to enter the water stream. This is a low-probability scenario under normal use but possible if filters are crushed, dropped, or overpressurized.
Microbial or chemical contamination in manufacturing
No recalls or field reports of contaminated filters are documented for this model. Samsung's filters undergo NSF certification testing, which includes microbial screening, but transparency on manufacturing QA is limited.
Activated carbon effectiveness fade
Activated carbon gradually saturates and loses chlorine-removal capacity over months; this is not a safety hazard per se but reflects why timely replacement is essential to avoid reliance on a non-functional filter.
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.