Berkey Phoenix VOC Pesticide Metals
Berkey Phoenix Filter Elements: VOC, Pesticide, and Heavy Metal Independent Lab Test Results
Up to 99.9% Contaminant Reduction, Verified by CVR Labs
Summary: Contaminants Reduced to Below Detection Limits, Up to 99.9%
Independent laboratory testing conducted by CVR Labs found that the Berkey Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filter Element reduced every one of the 76 tested compounds to below the laboratory's detection limit (BDL), up to 99.9% reduction, across volatile organic compounds, pesticides, and heavy metals.
Test Report Details
| Report Number | 25030011.01 |
| Laboratory | CVR Labs (P) Limited, Chennai, India |
| Accreditation | NABL (TC-7618) | BIS, FSSAI, MoEF Recognized | ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 45001:2018 Certified |
| Test Date | March 3 to 12, 2025 |
| Product Tested | Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filter Element |
| Sample Condition | Good |
Complete Test Results
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): 55 Tested
Every volatile organic compound tested was reduced to below the laboratory's detection limit after filtration through the Berkey Phoenix filter element.
| Contaminant | Before Filtration (mg/L) | Spike Level (mg/L) | After Filtration (mg/L) | Lab Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,1-Dichloroethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,1-Dichloropropane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,2,3-Trichloropropane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,3-Dichlorobenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,3-Dichloropropane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,3-Dichloropropene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 2,2-Dichloropropane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 2-Chlorotoluene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| 4-Chlorotoluene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Benzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Benzene,1,2,3-trimethyl | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Bromobenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Bromochloromethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Bromodichloromethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Butylbenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Carbontetrachloride | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Chlorobenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Chloroform | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| cis-1,3-Dichloropropene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Delta HCH | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Dibromochloromethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Dibromomethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Ethylbenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Isopropylbenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Methylene chloride | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| m-Xylene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Naphthalene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| n-Propylbenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| n-Propyltoluene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| o-Cymene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| o-Xylene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| p-Cymene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| p-Xylene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| sec-Butylbenzene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Styrene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Toluene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Tribromomethane | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
| Trichloroethylene | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.025) | Reduced to BDL |
BDL: Below Detection Limit | DL: Detection Limit
Pesticides: 15 Tested
Every agricultural pesticide tested was reduced to below the laboratory's detection limit by the Berkey Phoenix filter element.
| Pesticide | Before Filtration (mg/L) | Spike Level (mg/L) | After Filtration (mg/L) | Lab Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachlor | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Aldrin | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Alpha-Endosulfan | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Alpha HCH | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Beta-Endosulfan | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Beta HCH | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Dieldrin | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Endosulfan (alpha, beta and sulfate) | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Gamma HCH | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| o,p-DDD | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| o,p-DDE | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| o,p-DDT | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| p,p-DDD | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| p,p-DDE | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
| p,p-DDT | 0 | 0.1 | BDL (DL: 0.00001) | Reduced to BDL |
Heavy Metal Contaminants: 6 Tested
Every heavy metal tested, including lead, arsenic, and cadmium, was reduced to below the laboratory's detection limit by the Berkey Phoenix filter element. Additional heavy metals (including aluminum, antimony, and beryllium) were evaluated in separate reports by RAYNU Analytical Labs (formerly Atom Testing Laboratory). See the Phoenix Complete Contaminant List for the full metal portfolio.
| Heavy Metal | Before Filtration (mg/L) | Spike Level (mg/L) | After Filtration (mg/L) | Lab Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic (As) | 0 | 0.2 | BDL (DL: 0.001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 0 | 0.2 | BDL (DL: 0.001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0 | 0.2 | BDL (DL: 0.001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Lead (Pb) | 0 | 0.2 | BDL (DL: 0.001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0 | 0.2 | BDL (DL: 0.001) | Reduced to BDL |
| Selenium (Se) | 0 | 0.2 | BDL (DL: 0.001) | Reduced to BDL |
Understanding These Results: What "Below Detection Limit" Means
A result of BDL means the laboratory's instruments could not detect the contaminant in the filtered water down to the method's detection limit. Every one of the 76 compounds in this report came back below its detection limit. In line with the manufacturer's stated performance, reduction reaches up to 99.9%:
- Pesticides: spiked at 0.1 mg/L against a 0.00001 mg/L detection limit, confirming reduction above 99.9% to non-detect.
- Heavy metals: spiked at 0.2 mg/L against a 0.001 mg/L detection limit, confirming reduction above 99.5% to non-detect.
- VOCs: reduced to non-detect. The VOC method in this report uses a higher detection limit (0.025 mg/L), so VOC results are reported as below detection limit rather than as a single percentage.
A below-detection result is the strongest reduction the equipment can measure. The actual amount remaining may be lower still, because the instrument cannot quantify below the detection limit.
Testing Methodology
Test Protocol: Water samples were intentionally spiked with known concentrations of contaminants (0.1 mg/L for VOCs and pesticides, 0.2 mg/L for heavy metals) to simulate contaminated water conditions. The water was then filtered through the Berkey Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filter Element under standard operating conditions.
Analysis Methods:
- VOCs: CVR/INS/SOP GCMSMS/016 (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)
- Pesticides: CVR/INS/SOP GCMSMS/003 (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)
- Heavy Metals: CVR/SOP/ENV1228 (Inductively Coupled Plasma spectrometry)
Laboratory Accreditation: CVR Labs (P) Limited is accredited by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) under certificate TC-7618, recognized by BIS, FSSAI, and MoEF, and certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 standards.
What These Results Mean for Your Water
Broad Protection Against Common Water Contaminants
In this testing, the Berkey Phoenix filter reduced each tested contaminant to below the laboratory's detection limit across compounds found in municipal water supplies, well water, and natural water sources. These include:
- Chlorination byproducts like chloroform and trihalomethanes that form when chlorine reacts with organic matter
- Industrial chemicals such as benzene, toluene, and tetrachloroethylene from manufacturing and petroleum activities
- Agricultural pesticides including DDT, endosulfan, and aldrin that leach into groundwater from farming operations
- Heavy metals like lead (from old pipes), arsenic (naturally occurring), and cadmium (from industrial pollution)
Many water filters reduce contaminants only to levels regulators consider acceptable. In this test, the Berkey Phoenix reduced every spiked compound to below the detection limit of the laboratory's equipment.
Protect Your Family with Proven Performance
Independent lab results confirm what Berkey owners have trusted for decades: lab-verified contaminant reduction you can check for yourself.
Shop Berkey Phoenix Filters →Free shipping on orders over $99 | Ships same or next day
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "reduced to below detection limit" mean?
It means the laboratory's instruments could not detect any of the contaminant in the filtered water, down to the method's detection limit. For the heavy metals in this report that limit was 0.001 mg/L, and for pesticides it was 0.00001 mg/L. A result below the detection limit represents the strongest reduction the equipment can measure. The actual amount remaining may be lower still, but the instrument cannot quantify below that floor.
What contaminants did CVR Labs test the Berkey Phoenix against?
This CVR Labs report covered 76 contaminants: 55 volatile organic compounds, 15 pesticides, and 6 heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, and selenium). Every one was reduced to below the laboratory's detection limit. Additional contaminant categories, including PFAS, radiologicals, petroleum compounds, and pharmaceuticals, are covered in separate Berkey Phoenix lab reports.
Does the Berkey Phoenix reduce lead and arsenic?
Yes. In this test, lead and arsenic were each spiked at 0.2 mg/L and reduced to below the laboratory's detection limit of 0.001 mg/L, confirming at least 99.5% reduction. Lead reduction is especially relevant for homes with older plumbing, lead service lines, or brass fixtures.
How does this compare to other gravity filters?
Most gravity filters have not been tested against this comprehensive a range of contaminants. The Berkey Phoenix filter was independently tested against 76 separate contaminants in the CVR Labs report alone, providing verifiable proof of performance rather than relying on material claims.
How long do Berkey Phoenix filter elements last?
Each set of Berkey Phoenix filter elements has a lifespan of approximately 5,500 gallons, which translates to several years of use for an average household. The actual lifespan depends on the quality of your source water.
Is the testing laboratory credible?
CVR Labs is NABL-accredited (India's national accreditation body), recognized by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), and MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests), and certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 quality standards. Its test methods follow internationally recognized protocols.
Is the Berkey Phoenix the current replacement for Black Berkey elements?
Yes. The Berkey Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition is the current in-stock replacement element for standard Berkey gravity systems, made by the same manufacturer, NMCL. It fits the same chambers and is the element tested in this report.
Download the full CVR Labs VOC, pesticide, and metals test report (PDF)
Related Test Results
→ PFAS, Radiologicals & Petroleum Contaminants → Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals & Industrial Compounds ← View All Test Results
About Big Berkey Water Filters
Big Berkey Water Filters is the leading authorized dealer of Berkey water filtration systems in the United States. We provide independent laboratory test results, expert guidance, and comprehensive support to help families access clean, safe drinking water through proven gravity filtration technology.
Related Resources:
How Berkey Filters Work | Berkey vs. Other Gravity Filters
Disclaimer: Test results shown represent performance under laboratory conditions using water intentionally spiked with contaminants. Actual performance may vary based on water quality, flow rate, and filter age. These results are specific to the tested filter element and do not constitute an endorsement or certification by CVR Labs. Always follow manufacturer guidelines for filter replacement and maintenance.
