Brita 35618 Faucet Filter System
Lower PFAS concern for the filter itself, Brita makes no public disclosure.
Brita's faucet filters rely on activated carbon cartridges with no known PFAS contamination path. However, the plastic housing and seals are not publicly described for PFAS content, and Brita discloses no testing data.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Activated carbon filter cartridge; plastic faucet housing
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
Aqua Pure
3M Aqua-Pure AP802B Whole House Filter Housing
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
What Brita 35618 Faucet Filter System is made of, ingredients and materials
The Brita 35618 uses activated carbon as its primary filter medium, a well-established material for chlorine and taste/odor reduction that does not leach harmful compounds into water under normal use. The faucet housing is plastic, typically polypropylene or similar, which does not contact hot water and carries minimal leaching risk in this application. No ceramic, enamel, or metal coatings are involved, eliminating concerns around lead or cadmium from glazes. The cartridge is designed as a disposable, single-use component, reducing the risk of coating degradation over time.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Bacterial biofilm growth in filter cartridge
Spent activated carbon can harbor bacteria if cartridges are not replaced on schedule or if water sits in the filter for extended periods. This is a use-maintenance issue, not a material hazard, but is common across faucet-filter designs.
Activated carbon dust or particle shedding
Fine carbon dust can escape into water if the cartridge housing is damaged or if cartridges are not properly seated. Pre-flushing the cartridge (as instructed) reduces this risk. No health hazard from ingested carbon dust is established, but mechanical debris is undesirable.
Chlorine or chloramine removal effectiveness decline over time
Activated carbon saturates and loses effectiveness after 100-150 gallons; if not replaced, residual chlorine may not be adequately reduced. This is not a safety hazard but affects the filter's intended purpose and may indirectly encourage stagnation.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
The polypropylene housing does not contact heated water and is exposed only to filtered, cooled tap water. BPA and phthalate leaching is not documented for this material in this application; risk is lower than for hot-water-contact plastics or food-storage containers.
Source, FDA ↗Pressure or flow-rate anomalies if cartridge is over-retained
Leaving a spent cartridge in place beyond its rated life can clog the faucet and create back-pressure, but does not introduce chemical hazards. This is a functional issue, not a toxicological one.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Brita has not published detailed transparency reports on PFAS testing or removal for its faucet-filter systems, though the company does market carbon filters as chlorine-reduction devices. The brand holds NSF certification for some product lines, indicating third-party verification of filtration claims, but public disclosure of chemical testing or safety audits specific to housing materials is limited. No major recalls or safety controversies tied to this product line are on record. Brita's silence on PFAS disclosure is consistent with the broader water-filter industry, though competitors have begun to address this gap.
How it compares in its category
Faucet-mounted filters like this one are positioned as low-cost, point-of-use alternatives to pitcher filters and under-sink systems. Compared to pitcher filters, faucet systems avoid standing water and offer continuous filtration; compared to under-sink systems, they expose the housing to more ambient air and potential biofilm growth. Activated carbon is the industry standard for this category and presents lower concern than reverse-osmosis or ion-exchange systems in terms of material leaching. The 35618 is a mid-range offering with no unusual construction that sets it apart in safety profile.
If you buy it
Replace cartridges every 100 gallons or 1-2 months, whichever comes first, to minimize bacterial biofilm accumulation in the spent filter media. Flush the new cartridge by running water through it for 5 seconds before use. Do not use with unfiltered water that is microbiologically unsafe (boil-water advisories); this filter removes chlorine and particles but is not certified for pathogen removal. Store cartridges in a cool, dry place and do not expose the faucet housing to prolonged direct sunlight, which can degrade plastic over years.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 65% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Brita has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Water Filters
Aquamira
Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons Purification
- glass bottles, sodium dichloroisocyanurate treatment chemical
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Chemical overdose or misuse
5 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Big Berkey
Empty Housing with NO Filters Included
- Stainless steel housing and spigot
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth and biofilm if filters not replaced
5 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
LifeStraw
Home Glass Water Filter Pitcher
- Borosilicate glass pitcher, replaceable activated-carbon filter cartridge
- Bacterial growth in filter cartridge if unmaintained
5 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More water 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.