Berkey Phoenix PFAS Radiologicals VOC Chlorine Disinfection Byproducts
Berkey Phoenix PFAS, Radiologicals, Petroleum & Disinfection Byproduct Test Results
99.8%+ PFAS Removal across 7 Compounds | 1,500-Liter Sustained Testing | RAYNU Labs Verified
Executive Summary: Emerging Contaminants Removed
Independent laboratory testing by RAYNU Analytical Labs confirms the Berkey Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filter achieves 99.8%+ removal of PFAS "forever chemicals" across 7 compounds, 99.9%+ removal of radiological elements, and 99%+ removal of petroleum contaminants. A separate long-term capacity study verified PFOA and PFOS removal sustained through 1,500 liters of continuous use.
⚠️ Why PFAS & Radiological Testing Matters
PFAS chemicals (forever chemicals) are found in 97% of Americans' bloodstreams and have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and reproductive issues. Radiological contaminants like cesium and strontium can accumulate in bones and increase cancer risk. Most water filters are never tested against these emerging threats. Berkey Phoenix filters provide verified protection against contaminants that standard filtration misses.
Test Report Details
| Initial Report | RAYNU 2510041A (Multi-category, Sept 2-27, 2025) |
| Sustained PFAS Test | RAYNU 2511001 (PFOA/PFOS through 1,500 liters, Oct 1, 2025) |
| Inorganic Test | Atom Testing Laboratory (Apr 2026, Disinfectants & Inorganics) |
| Laboratory | RAYNU Analytical and Research Lab LLP and Atom Testing Laboratory, Bangalore, India |
| Accreditation | NABL (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) |
| Product Tested | Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filter Element (PGF9-2) |
| Testing Standards | NSF/ANSI 42 & 53 | APHA 22nd Edition | AOAC 20th Edition | EPA Guidelines |
Complete Test Results
PFAS Forever Chemicals - 7 Compounds Tested
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and human body for decades. They are used in non-stick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam, and they are now contaminating water supplies nationwide.
Initial PFAS Reduction Test (RAYNU Report 2510041A)
| PFAS Compound | Input Concentration (µg/L) | Output Concentration (µg/L) | Removal Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid) | 10 | < 0.02 | 99.8%+ |
| PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid) | 10 | < 0.02 | 99.8%+ |
| PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic acid) | 10 | < 0.02 | 99.8%+ |
| PFBS (Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid) | 10 | < 0.02 | 99.8%+ |
| PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic acid) | 10 | < 0.02 | 99.8%+ |
Sustained Capacity Test: PFOA & PFOS through 1,500 Liters (RAYNU Report 2511001)
A separate long-term capacity study tested PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) and PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate) at multiple intervals through 1,500 liters (396 gallons) of continuous filtration. Effluent concentrations remained below the 0.005 µg/L detection limit at every checkpoint, well below the EPA's enforceable 4 ppt MCL for PFOA and PFOS.
| Liters Tested | Contaminant | Influent (µg/L) | Effluent (µg/L) | EPA MCL (µg/L) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | PFOA + PFOS | 1.5 | < 0.005 | 0.02 (combined) | Passed |
| 250 | PFOA + PFOS | 1.5 | < 0.005 | 0.02 (combined) | Passed |
| 500 | PFOA + PFOS | 1.5 | < 0.005 | 0.02 (combined) | Passed |
| 1000 | PFOA + PFOS | 1.5 | < 0.005 | 0.02 (combined) | Passed |
| 1500 | PFOA + PFOS | 1.5 | < 0.005 | 0.02 (combined) | Passed |
What this means: Many filters perform well at the start of their service life but degrade as the carbon and adsorption media saturate. The 1,500-liter test demonstrates that Phoenix maintains PFOA and PFOS removal performance well into a real-world household usage cycle.
Detection limit: 0.02 µg/L (initial test), 0.005 µg/L (sustained test). EPA enforceable MCL for PFOA and PFOS individually is 4 ppt (0.004 µg/L); for PFOA and PFOS combined the regulatory threshold tested here is 0.02 µg/L. Berkey Phoenix achieves removal levels at or below these stringent standards.
Heavy Metals - 5 Tested in This Report
This report covers 5 heavy metals tested by RAYNU. Phoenix has been tested against 21 total heavy metals across multiple lab reports. See the VOC, Pesticide & Heavy Metals page for the CVR Labs report (Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Selenium) and the Phoenix Complete Contaminant List for the full 21-metal portfolio including Mercury, Aluminum, and Copper.
| Heavy Metal | Input Concentration (µg/L) | Output Concentration (µg/L) | Removal Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 200 | < 1 | 99.5%+ |
| Cobalt (Co) | 200 | < 1 | 99.5%+ |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 200 | < 1 | 99.5%+ |
| Vanadium (V) | 200 | < 1 | 99.5%+ |
| Uranium (U) | 200 | < 1 | 99.5%+ |
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 5 Tested in This Report
Five VOCs were tested in this RAYNU report. Phoenix has been tested against 55+ VOCs total. See the CVR Labs VOC report for the full portfolio.
| VOC Compound | Input Concentration | Output Concentration | Removal Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,1-dichloro-2-propane | 1000 µg/L | < 1 µg/L | 99.9%+ |
| 1,1,1-trichloro-2-propane | 1000 µg/L | < 1 µg/L | 99.9%+ |
| 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene | 1000 µg/L | < 1 µg/L | 99.9%+ |
| Chloroform | 1000 µg/L | < 1 µg/L | 99.9%+ |
| Methylcyclohexane-methane | 2 mg/L | < 0.01 mg/L | 99.5%+ |
Disinfectants - Chlorine Residual
| Disinfectant | Input Concentration (mg/L) | Output Concentration (mg/L) | Removal Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine Residual | 2 | < 0.01 | 99.5%+ |
Phoenix is also NSF/ANSI 42 Certified for chlorine reduction. Free Chlorine, Chloramines, and Chloride were tested separately by Atom Testing Laboratory at 99%+ reduction. See the Inorganic Non-Metallic section below.
Disinfection Byproducts - 9 Tested
Chemicals formed when chlorine or chloramine disinfectants react with organic matter in water. Many are carcinogenic.
| Disinfection Byproduct | Input Concentration (mg/L) | Output Concentration (mg/L) | Removal Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bromochloroacetonitrile | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Chloropicrin | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Dibromoacetonitrile | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Dichloroacetonitrile | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Haloacetonitrile | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Haloketones | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Tribromoacetic acid | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Trichloroacetonitrile | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Trihalomethanes | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
Inorganic Non-Metallic Contaminants (Atom Testing Laboratory)
Tested by Atom Testing Laboratory (Apr 2026). Includes the disinfectants Free Chlorine, Chloramines, and Chloride, plus the non-metallic ions Nitrates, Nitrites, and Fluoride.
| Contaminant | Input Concentration | Output Concentration | Removal Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloramines | 3.02 mg/L | < 0.1 mg/L | 99.9%+ |
| Free Chlorine | 2.0 mg/L | < 0.1 mg/L | 99.9%+ |
| Chloride | 236 mg/L | 10 mg/L | 98.2%+ |
| Nitrates | 42 µg/L | 0.3 µg/L | 99.0% |
| Nitrites | 3.8 µg/L | < 0.1 µg/L | 99.9%+ |
| Fluoride | 8000 µg/L | 1960 µg/L | 75.5% |
Fluoride note: Fluoride was tested at 75.5% reduction at high challenge concentration (8000 ppb). For households on water supplies with elevated fluoride or those who want maximum fluoride reduction, the Berkey PF-2 fluoride and arsenic reduction elements are designed as a paired add-on that installs alongside Phoenix elements in any standard Berkey gravity system.
Radiological Elements - 5 Tested
Radioactive elements that can be found in groundwater from natural deposits or industrial contamination. Long-term exposure increases cancer risk.
| Radiological Element | Input Concentration (µg/L) | Output Concentration (µg/L) | Removal Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cesium (Cs) | 1000 | < 1 | 99.9%+ |
| Iodine (I) | 1000 | < 1 | 99.9%+ |
| Strontium (Sr) | 1000 | < 1 | 99.9%+ |
| Thorium (Th) | 1000 | < 1 | 99.9%+ |
| Uranium (U) | 200 | < 1 | 99.5%+ |
Petroleum Contaminants - 6 Tested
Hydrocarbon contamination from fuel storage tanks, industrial sites, or petroleum spills.
| Petroleum Contaminant | Input Concentration (mg/L) | Output Concentration (mg/L) | Removal Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil and Grease | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Mineral Spirits | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Gasoline | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Diesel | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Kerosene | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
| Crude Oil | 10 | < 0.1 | 99.0%+ |
Testing Methodology
Test Protocol: Water samples were spiked with known concentrations of contaminants under controlled laboratory conditions. The Phoenix Gravity filter was tested at a flow rate of 3-5 liters per hour following manufacturer flushing instructions. Testing followed NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 standards. The 1,500-liter sustained PFOA/PFOS test ran on a 50% ON / 50% OFF cycle to simulate household intermittent use.
Analysis Methods:
- PFAS: Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS, electrospray negative mode)
- Heavy Metals & Radiologicals: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS)
- VOCs & DBPs: Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMSMS)
Challenge Water Properties:
- pH: 8.04 (Target: 7.5 to 9.5)
- Temperature: 24.8°C (Target: 25°C ± 2°C)
- TDS: 423 mg/L (Target: 200-500 mg/L)
- Turbidity: 4 NTU (Target: 3-5 NTU)
Why These Contaminants Matter
PFAS: The Forever Chemical Crisis
PFAS chemicals persist in the environment and human body for decades because their carbon-fluorine bonds are nearly impossible to break down naturally. Research links PFAS exposure to:
- Increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer
- Thyroid disease and hormone disruption
- Reduced vaccine effectiveness in children
- Pregnancy complications and developmental delays
- Elevated cholesterol and liver damage
The EPA has lowered the enforceable MCL for PFOA and PFOS to 4 ppt, recognizing the lack of a safe exposure threshold. Berkey Phoenix filters achieve removal levels at or below this standard, sustained through 1,500 liters of continuous testing.
Radiological Contamination
Radiological elements like cesium-137 and strontium-90 can enter water from natural uranium deposits, industrial sites, or nuclear facilities. Strontium accumulates in bones like calcium, potentially causing leukemia. Cesium mimics potassium and distributes throughout soft tissues. Most standard filters never address these contaminants. Berkey Phoenix removes 99.9%+.
Protect Against Emerging Threats
Most filters are not tested for PFAS or radiologicals. Berkey Phoenix provides verified protection against contaminants others ignore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Berkey remove PFAS when many filters cannot?
PFAS molecules are extremely small and chemically stable, requiring specialized adsorption media. The Berkey Phoenix filter uses a proprietary blend of activated carbon and ion exchange media specifically formulated to capture PFAS molecules. Unlike basic carbon filters, this multi-stage approach achieves 99.8%+ removal across 7 PFAS compounds, with sustained PFOA and PFOS performance verified through 1,500 liters of continuous testing.
Why does the 1,500-liter sustained test matter?
Many filters test PFAS removal only at the start of their service life. Performance can degrade as the carbon and adsorption media saturate. The 1,500-liter (396-gallon) capacity test demonstrates that Phoenix maintains PFOA and PFOS removal performance well into a real-world household usage cycle, with effluent staying below detection limits throughout.
Should I be concerned about radiological contaminants in my water?
It depends on your location. Areas with uranium-rich geology, proximity to nuclear facilities, or certain industrial sites may have elevated radiological levels. Well water users should be particularly aware. Even if your water utility tests for gross alpha/beta radiation, individual radioisotopes like strontium-90 may not be specifically measured. Berkey Phoenix provides peace of mind regardless of your source water.
How often do I need to replace filters for PFAS removal?
The 5,500-gallon rating applies to the filter's overall capacity. The PFOA/PFOS sustained capacity test verified consistent removal performance through 1,500 liters (396 gallons). For households in heavily PFAS-impacted areas, follow manufacturer guidelines based on water quality and usage volume.
Can I test my filtered water to verify PFAS removal?
Yes. Third-party PFAS testing is available through certified labs. We recommend testing your source water first to establish baseline levels, then testing filtered water to verify removal. Contact us for recommended testing laboratories and protocols.
View Original PFAS, Radiologicals, VOC, and Disinfection Test Results
Related Test Results
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Disclaimer: Test results represent performance under controlled laboratory conditions using intentionally contaminated water. Actual performance may vary based on source water quality, contaminant levels, flow rate, temperature, and filter age. Regular filter replacement per manufacturer guidelines is essential for maintained performance. These results do not constitute product certification or endorsement by testing laboratories.
