Which Filter Removes PFAS or Lead? Certification Finder

Find which NSF/ANSI certification to look for when choosing a filter for lead, PFAS or both, by filter type. Based on EPA's consumer guidance.

Reviewed Oct 21, 20267 cited sources (EPA, CDC, USGS, NSF and university extension)How we calculate

Results update as you type.

Look for

Lead: NSF/ANSI 53 with a lead reduction claim (to 5 ppb or less), plus NSF/ANSI 42 Class I particulate reduction · PFAS: NSF/ANSI 53 with a PFAS reduction claim (check which PFAS are listed, e.g. PFOA and PFOS)

Check the product's certification listing for the exact contaminant claim, not just the standard number.

Good to know
Certification is model-specific. Confirm the exact model and claim in the certifier's online listing.
PFAS note
EPA notes that current PFAS filter certifications don't yet show removal down to its new drinking water limits. Reducing levels still lowers exposure.
Maintenance
Replace cartridges on the manufacturer's schedule. Certification only covers the rated capacity.

Estimate only. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.

General guidance, not medical or professional advice. Test your water, and talk to your utility or local health department about results.

Check your public water system

See what EPA data shows for your public water system before choosing a filter.

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How it works

A certification mark tells you an accredited third party tested the filter against a standard. The specific claim matters too: a filter certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for one contaminant isn't necessarily certified for another.

For lead, EPA recommends filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction to 5 ppb or less, and to NSF/ANSI 42 for Class I particulate reduction. Reverse osmosis systems are certified under NSF/ANSI 58.

For PFAS, EPA advises looking for NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 certification with a PFAS reduction claim, and checking which PFAS are covered. NSF lists NSF/ANSI 401 for microplastics, not PFAS.

Use the lookup below to see what EPA data shows for your public water system. A detection in a single sample isn't a violation, and your utility's annual water quality report has the full picture.

The formula

  • Lead → NSF/ANSI 53 lead claim + NSF/ANSI 42 Class I particulate (EPA); RO → NSF/ANSI 58 lead claim
  • PFAS → NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 PFAS reduction claim (EPA)

How to use this calculator

  1. Choose what you want to reduce.
  2. Choose the filter type you are considering.
  3. Look for that certification and claim on the package or in the certifier's listing.

Frequently asked questions

Does a filter remove PFAS completely?

EPA found that activated carbon, ion exchange and reverse osmosis point-of-use systems can greatly reduce PFAS. It also notes that current certifications don't yet show removal to its new drinking water limits.

My water system detected PFAS. Is it unsafe?

A detection means it was measured above the lab's reporting level. Federal limits for PFOA and PFOS are 4.0 ppt, with compliance based on running annual averages (not single samples) starting in 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed allowing systems until 2031 for PFOA/PFOS and removing the other PFAS limits; that proposal was not final as of 2026-10-21. Check your utility's annual report, and contact the utility or health department with questions.

Do I need a filter for lead if I'm on city water?

Lead usually comes from service lines and plumbing, not the source water. EPA notes lead pipes are more likely in homes built before 1986. Testing at your tap is the best way to know.

Sources

  1. EPA: Consumer Tool for Identifying Filters Certified to Reduce Lead: Look for NSF/ANSI 53 lead reduction (to 5 ppb or less) and NSF/ANSI 42 Class I particulate reduction
  2. EPA: Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce PFAS: Look for NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 PFAS reduction claims; current certifications do not yet show removal to EPA's new limits
  3. NSF: Water Filters FAQs: NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 with a PFAS designation for PFAS; NSF/ANSI 401 for microplastics
  4. NSF: Filters Certified to Reduce Lead: NSF/ANSI 53 (filters) and NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) lead reduction claims
  5. EPA: PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation: PFOA and PFOS MCLs of 4.0 ppt; compliance based on running annual averages
  6. EPA: Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water: Lead pipes more likely in homes built before 1986
  7. EPA: Lead and Copper Rule Improvements FAQ: Lead action level is 15 ppb until Nov 1, 2027, then 10 ppb

Sources last checked Oct 21, 2026Written and reviewed by the Tapped Out team against the sources above.How we calculate

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