Do Refrigerator Filters Eliminate PFAS? (Answered!)

Do Refrigerator Filters Eliminate PFAS? Nowadays, most homes have a refrigerator with ice and water dispenser. To ensure that the water filtration procedure is safe for your family’s health if your refrigerator is new, you must use the appropriate refrigerator water filter.

Refrigerator filters cannot treat PFAS. The conventional refrigerator filter was not developed to eliminate PFAS; instead, it was made to remove chlorine and flavor from water. Activated carbon is used in these filters, which can remove PFAS but only some other pollutants.

VIDEO: Do Refrigerator Filters Eliminate PFAS

IF PFAS IS RELEASED FROM REFRIGERATOR WATER FILTERS

PFAS cannot currently be entirely removed from the water. But it is unquestionably possible to lessen the threat. Water filters come to our aid because the bottled water we consume does contain certain pollutants. Therefore, you must check that the refrigerator’s water filter can lessen PFAS pollutants in the water to avoid pfas contamination.

But first, we must establish whether all refrigerator water filters can completely eliminate PFAS or at least substantially lower its presence of chemical. Are there any variations among various water filters for the refrigerator when it comes to removing PFAS?

ARE PFAS REMOVED BY ALL REFRIGERATOR WATER FILTERS?

A few studies show that many filtering systems nowadays effectively handle PFAS. These point-of-use filters can get rid of water residues of organic compounds.

Three different filtration or water filter system devices are available right now to lower the PFAS levels in refrigerator water. 

Granulated activated carbon and reverse osmosis are effective filtration methods if they are both installed on the waterline for your refrigerator. In addition to water testing, it is crucial to maintain the water filtration system as needed because of toxic pfas.

Does Your fridge Water Filter Treat PFAS?

The varieties of refrigerator water filters also change as technology advances in response to customer demand. It is clear that not all of these water filters can entirely eliminate PFAS. 

Of course, certain refrigerator water filters are capable of almost completely eliminating PFAS from drinking water. However, a lot of filters continue to be erratic and inconsistent. But are these filters potentially harmful especially for bottled water?

WHO ARE THE PFAS? DO THEY PRESENT A RISK?

Consequently, we have been discussing refrigerator water filters that remove PFAS for a while. But what exactly are PFAS? Chemicals created by humans, PFAS are now present in commercial products and industrial processes all over the world.

These substances have been incorporated into our nonstick cookware, stain- and water-resistant clothes since the 1950s. To withstand grease, water, oil, cosmetics, firefighting foams, and other items include PFAS contaminants. Therefore, PFAS is a chemical that is widely present in the environment nowadays and is gravely dangerous to our health.

According to an assessment by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PFAS contaminants has a wide range of negative consequences on health. 

It includes decreased fertility, thyroid problems, liver damage, cancer, and a higher chance of developing asthma. However, according to CDC data from 2018, the PFAS chemical level was ten times lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency’s limit.

PFAS are permanent substances since they are unlikely to undergo complete degradation. Additionally, studies demonstrate that they may move swiftly over great distances while traveling through air and clean water. 

Therefore, while we don’t even see the impending adversity, these toxins collect in soil, plants, dust, and food, damaging our health. You still need to be aware of additional justifications for using PFAS water filters or fridge filter though.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NSF P473-CERTIFIED WATER FILTERS?

NSF P473-certified water filters confirm that they meet the performance standards of drinking water treatment units. 

Water filters must pass a battery of tests to demonstrate that they meet NSF’s strict safety and structural requirements in order to receive the P473 worldwide NSF certification.

In addition to the numerous tests, NSF also confirms:

• The product information, labels, and advertising must remove any false information
• The system’s framework is reliable.
• Following the activated carbon filter filtration procedure, the system doesn’t introduce any dangerous elements into the water.
• The promises made on the product’s label about the decrease of PFOA and PFOS contamination are accurate.

Keeping this in mind, you must choose the best refrigerator water filters to provide all of these advantages.

BEST PFAS-REMOVING REFRIGERATOR WATER FILTERS

Are you thinking of installing an inline water filter for your refrigerator? Then you must decide which one fits your refrigerator and your budget the best. Despite the fact that all refrigerator water filters have identical looks, many of them contain intricate filter cartridges.

Complexity guarantees that a filter can remove more pollutants than its rivals. Therefore, don’t hesitate to conduct your own study before making a water filter purchase of chlorine taste:

Whirlpool’s EveryDrop 10383251 Refrigerator Water Filter

The water filter EveryDrop 10383251 has the potential to eliminate 28 pollutants. It is true; for this reason, it has an NSF certification. Even though lead removal is where it excels, other substances like nonylphenol, ibuprofen, chlorine, naproxen, and TCPP can also be handled with it.

Don’t forget to check the model number of your refrigerator when purchasing the filter. Before purchasing, you must ensure the filter will fit your refrigerator. My own experience has led me to believe that this filter is superior to its current rivals. The filter does need to be changed much more frequently than other refrigerator water filters, but it removes 28 pollutants.

Pros:

• Major refrigerator brands’ approval
• NSF accredited

Cons:

• If the household is larger and uses more water, it might not last six months.
• It costs a lot more than filters of a comparable type.

Frigidaire ULTRAWF Pure Source Water Filter

The Frigidaire ULTRAWF water filter may be the best option if you’re looking for a water and ice refrigerator filter. This carbon-based filter eliminates the dangerous pollutants in water. The refrigerator filter can help by lowering lead, nitrates, pesticides, mercury contamination, and chlorine taste and odor for better environmental health.

The Frigidaire ULTRAWF is simple to install and NSF 42, 53, and 401 certified. As a result, eliminating aesthetic contaminations is made simpler. There is no need to search elsewhere if sustainability is what you’re after because this water fridge filter has NSF/WQA 803 certification of the water source.

Pros

• Very simple to install
• NSF accredited

Cons

• More expensive compared to similar goods
• Some users have noted that the water flows at a somewhat slow pace at heavy metals

Refrigerator Water Filter GE RPWFE

The GE RPWFE water filter works with every GE French door refrigerator. You can use this water filter for your GE refrigerator because it has NSF certification. It eliminates a wide variety of substances from the water, including certain medicines, cysts, chlorine, lead, PFOA, and PFOS.

It is among the top-performing refrigerator filters available today. Therefore, you can undoubtedly select this simple-to-install water filter chromium if your refrigerator is a GE model. But remember to change the water filter after 300 gallons of filtering or every six months.

Pros

• The GE RPWFE installation procedure is relatively straightforward.
• It has undergone testing and has been approved to remove a wide variety of pollutants.

Cons

• This GE filter is only compatible with GE appliances.
• The fridge water filter replacement countdown timer is not precisely accurate enough.

OTHER CONTAMINANTS REMOVED BY WATER FILTERS

Water filters remove various toxins in addition to PFAS compounds from the water. So that’s an added benefit, which makes purchasing a water filter all the more important. 

The type of filter used will determine what contaminants besides PFAS are removed. A few other pollutants that water filters can eliminate include the following:

• Take out the sand, silt, and sediment
• Removal of chlorine and chloramines is feasible.
• Fluoride is even removed by some water filters.
• Iron, sulfur, and manganese can all be removed from water via carbon filters.

Therefore, it’s crucial to get a good water filter for your refrigerator rather than not utilizing one at all. It will at least guarantee that you are protected from some water-based chemicals. You cannot neglect health safety when it comes to your loved ones.

FAQs: Filters Eliminate PFAS