Sub-Zero · Refrigerator Filters
Sub zero 7042803 Ice Maker Water Filter
Lower PFAS concern for typical residential ice-maker cartridge; no red flags but brand provides no assurance.
This replacement ice-maker filter uses standard activated carbon filtration, a material class with lower inherent PFAS risk compared to coatings or waterproofing treatments. Sub-Zero does not disclose PFAS testing or make PFAS-free claims. No public lab data or recalls reported; typical for this product category.
Shop Sub-Zero on Amazon →Material
activated carbon filter media with polypropylene or polyethylene 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 7042803 uses activated carbon as its primary filtration medium, a well-established water purification material that traps chlorine, odor, and some chemical contaminants through adsorption. The housing is polypropylene or polyethylene plastic, materials chosen for food-contact safety and chemical resistance in cold-water applications. Activated carbon itself is inert and does not leach into water under normal refrigerator temperatures and pressures. The filter media degrades over time as it becomes saturated with contaminants, which is why manufacturer replacement intervals (typically 6 months) are important.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sub-Zero manufactures premium built-in refrigeration and does not publicly disclose detailed material safety testing or third-party certifications for this specific filter cartridge. The brand does not make explicit PFAS claims for this product, and no public recalls or safety warnings have been issued for the 7042803. Sub-Zero adheres to FDA food-contact plastic regulations and NSF/ANSI standards for water filtration products in most markets, though product documentation rarely highlights these certifications prominently.
How it compares in its category
Refrigerator ice-maker filters are a low-risk category because they operate at cold temperatures, low pressure, and handle small volumes of water compared to whole-house systems. The 7042803 is a proprietary OEM cartridge, so direct comparison to third-party filters is limited, but activated-carbon filters of this type are industry standard and perform similarly to aftermarket options. Proprietary filters often have tighter housing tolerances, which reduces bypass risk compared to some universal replacements. Cost is higher than third-party alternatives, but compatibility and performance consistency are reliable.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 6 months or when ice taste/odor changes, whichever comes first; activated carbon's effectiveness declines after saturation. Do not attempt to reuse or clean the cartridge; the media cannot be regenerated. Store unopened filters in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve the carbon structure. Ensure the filter seats properly in the refrigerator housing to prevent water bypass, which would defeat filtration.
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/media if not replaced timely
Saturated activated carbon and stagnant water in the filter can harbor bacterial biofilm if replacement is delayed beyond recommended intervals. Proper maintenance (6-month replacement) eliminates this risk under normal use.
Polypropylene/polyethylene housing leachables under stress
Sub-Zero housings are designed for cold-water, low-pressure operation (not hot water). No documented leaching of plastic additives has been reported for this product under specified use conditions; risk is negligible if not misused.
Degradation of filter media sealing or structural failure
Over extended use beyond the 6-month window, carbon media can crack or fracture, and the polypropylene housing can become brittle if exposed to temperature extremes or sunlight during storage. This causes bypass rather than contamination of the water itself.
Microplastics from worn or damaged filter housing
If the filter cartridge is damaged or installed incorrectly, fragments of polypropylene from the housing could theoretically enter water. This is primarily a replacement-schedule and installation quality issue, not inherent to the material.
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
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✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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Clearly Filtered
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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.