Phoenix Complete Contaminant List
Berkey Phoenix New Millennium Edition filter elements have been independently tested to reduce 200+ contaminants across 10 categories including PFAS forever chemicals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, petroleum contaminants, pesticides, VOCs, radiologicals, disinfection byproducts, semi-volatile organics, and inorganic non-metallic contaminants. All testing was conducted by NABL-accredited, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified third-party laboratories with no financial relationship to Berkey beyond paid testing services.
Phoenix elements are NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 Certified and serve as the current authorized replacement for Black Berkey elements in any standard Berkey gravity system.
200+
Total contaminants tested across all categories
10
Contaminant categories covered by independent lab testing
3
Independent NABL-accredited laboratories
Note on availability: Black Berkey filter elements are temporarily unavailable due to an EPA regulatory matter. The Berkey Phoenix New Millennium Edition is the current in-stock filter element, made by the same manufacturer, NMCL, and is a direct drop-in replacement for any existing Berkey system. All test data on this page refers to Phoenix elements. For Black Berkey lab data, see the
Black Berkey Complete Contaminant List.
Contaminant Categories at a Glance
The Phoenix testing portfolio covers ten major contaminant classes. Each card summarizes the scope, reduction performance, and key compounds tested. Click any card to view the full lab results page with downloadable PDFs.
PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFHxS, PFHpA, and PFBS tested at 99.8%+ initial reduction. A separate long-term capacity study verified PFOA and PFOS removal remains above 99% through 1,500 liters (396 gallons) of continuous use, with output below the EPA's 4 ppt MCL.
RAYNU Analytical Labs, NABL-accredited, ISO/IEC 17025:2017
View PFAS results →
Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Uranium, Vanadium, and Zinc. Most metals reduced at 99%+; specific compound-level reduction percentages are documented in the published lab reports.
CVR Labs, RAYNU Analytical Labs, and Atom Testing Laboratory
View heavy metals results →
Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Estrone, Progesterone, Triclosan, Diclofenac, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, plus five additional antibiotics and hormones commonly detected in municipal water supplies.
RAYNU Analytical Labs, NABL-accredited, ISO/IEC 17025:2017
View pharmaceutical results →
Benzene, Chloroform, Trichloroethylene (TCE), Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), Toluene, Ethylbenzene, individual Xylenes (m-, o-, p-), and 50+ additional VOCs reduced to below or near lab detection limits.
CVR Labs, NABL-accredited, ISO/IEC 17025:2017
View VOC results →
DDT (4,4 isomers), Glyphosate, Chlordane, Endosulfan, 2,4-D, Simazine, Lindane (Gamma-BHC), HCH, plus 3 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 40+ additional pesticides and herbicides.
CVR Labs and RAYNU Analytical Labs
View pesticide results →
Free Chlorine, Chloramines, Chloride, Trihalomethanes (THMs), Tribromoacetic acid, Chloropicrin, and additional acetonitrile and ketone byproducts of municipal chlorination. Phoenix is also NSF/ANSI 42 Certified for chlorine reduction.
RAYNU Analytical Labs and Atom Testing Laboratory
View disinfectant results →
Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene, Crude Oil, Mineral Spirits, and Oil and Grease tested under controlled spiked-influent conditions.
RAYNU Analytical Labs, NABL-accredited
View petroleum results →
Cesium, Iodine, Strontium, Thorium, and Uranium evaluated for gravity-fed reduction performance.
RAYNU Analytical Labs, NABL-accredited
View radiological results →
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, and other semi-volatile organic industrial compounds tested under controlled laboratory conditions.
RAYNU Analytical Labs, NABL-accredited
View SVOC results →
Nitrates and Nitrites tested at 99%+ reduction. Fluoride was tested at 75.5% reduction at high challenge concentration. For households requiring higher fluoride reduction, the Berkey PF-2 fluoride and arsenic reduction elements are recommended as a paired add-on.
Atom Testing Laboratory, NABL-accredited, ISO/IEC 17025:2017
View inorganic results →
Complete Compound List by Category
The table below lists representative compounds tested across the Phoenix independent lab portfolio. Each result is documented in the published lab reports available on the Phoenix Lab Results page.
Scroll to see full table
| Contaminant |
Reduction Rate |
Lab |
| PFAS and Forever Chemicals (7 compounds) |
| PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) |
>99.8% (initial); >99% sustained through 1,500 L |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate) |
>99.8% (initial); >99% sustained through 1,500 L |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| PFNA (Perfluorononanoic Acid) |
>99.8% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic Acid) |
>99.8% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| PFHxS (Perfluorohexane Sulfonate) |
>99.8% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid) |
>99.8% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| PFBS (Perfluorobutanesulfonic Acid) |
>99.8% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Heavy Metals (21 metals tested) |
| Lead |
>99.5% |
CVR Labs |
| Mercury |
>99.9% |
Atom Testing Laboratory |
| Arsenic |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs / Atom Testing Lab |
| Cadmium |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs / Atom Testing Lab |
| Chromium |
>97% |
CVR Labs / RAYNU / Atom |
| Aluminum |
>99.9% |
Atom Testing Laboratory |
| Antimony, Beryllium, Boron, Barium, Manganese, Nickel, Selenium |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs / Atom Testing Lab |
| Cobalt, Molybdenum, Uranium, Vanadium |
>99.5% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Bismuth, Copper, Iron |
97-99.5% under high-challenge conditions |
Atom Testing Laboratory |
| Zinc |
82.6% under high-challenge conditions |
Atom Testing Laboratory |
| Pharmaceuticals and Hormones (13 compounds) |
| Acetaminophen |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Atenolol |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Carbamazepine |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Ciprofloxacin HCl |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Diclofenac Sodium |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Erythromycin USP |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Estrone |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Ibuprofen |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Phenytoin |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Progesterone |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Sulfamethoxazole |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Triclosan |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Trimethoprim |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (55+ compounds) |
| Benzene |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs |
| Chloroform |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs / RAYNU |
| Trichloroethylene (TCE) |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs |
| Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs |
| Toluene |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs |
| Xylenes (m-Xylene, o-Xylene, p-Xylene) |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs |
| Ethylbenzene |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs |
| Carbon Tetrachloride |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs |
| + 45 additional VOCs in the same series |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs / RAYNU |
| Pesticides and Herbicides (50+ compounds) |
| 4,4-DDT, 4,4-DDD, 4,4-DDE |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs / RAYNU |
| Simazine |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Glyphosate |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Chlordane |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Endosulfan (I, II, Sulfate) |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs / RAYNU |
| 2,4-D |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Lindane (Gamma-BHC) |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (3 PCB congeners tested) |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| + 40+ additional pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides |
>99.9% |
CVR Labs / RAYNU |
| Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts (12 compounds) |
| Free Chlorine |
>99.9% |
Atom Testing Laboratory / NSF/ANSI 42 Certified |
| Chloramines |
>99.9% |
Atom Testing Laboratory |
| Chloride |
>98% |
Atom Testing Laboratory |
| Trihalomethanes (Bromoform, Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane) |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Chloropicrin |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Tribromoacetic acid |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Bromochloroacetonitrile, Dibromoacetonitrile, Dichloroacetonitrile, Trichloroacetonitrile |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Haloacetonitrile and Haloketones (compound classes) |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Petroleum Contaminants (6 compounds) |
| Gasoline |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Diesel |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Kerosene |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Crude Oil |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Mineral Spirits |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Oil and Grease |
>99% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Radiological Elements (5 elements) |
| Cesium |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Iodine |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Strontium |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Thorium |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Uranium |
>99.5% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Semi-Volatile Organics and PAHs (25+ compounds) |
| Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs, multiple) |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Phthalates (multiple) |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| + 20+ additional semi-volatile organic compounds |
>99.9% |
RAYNU Analytical Labs |
| Inorganic Non-Metallic Contaminants (3 compounds) |
| Nitrates |
99.0% |
Atom Testing Laboratory |
| Nitrites |
>99.9% |
Atom Testing Laboratory |
| Fluoride |
75.5% (PF-2 add-on recommended for households needing higher fluoride reduction) |
Atom Testing Laboratory |
Note on reduction percentages: All reduction figures represent minimum performance under controlled laboratory conditions using influent water intentionally spiked with target contaminants. Post-filtration concentrations frequently fell at or below the laboratory instrument reporting limit, meaning the actual reduction rate may exceed the published figure. Real-world performance varies based on source water quality, daily usage, and filter age.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many contaminants do Phoenix elements reduce?
Phoenix elements have been independently tested against 200+ contaminants across 10 categories: PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, VOCs, pesticides and herbicides, disinfection byproducts, petroleum contaminants, radiological elements, semi-volatile organics, and inorganic non-metallic contaminants. All testing was conducted by NABL-accredited, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified third-party laboratories.
Do Phoenix elements remove PFAS?
Yes. Seven PFAS compounds (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFHxS, PFHpA, and PFBS) were tested at greater than 99.8% reduction. A separate long-term capacity study verified that PFOA and PFOS reduction remains above 99% sustained through 1,500 liters (396 gallons) of continuous use, with output below the EPA's enforceable 4 ppt MCL. Sustained performance through high-volume use is a key differentiator from filters tested at a single point in time.
Do Phoenix elements reduce lead?
Yes. Independent testing by CVR Labs confirmed lead reduction at greater than 99.5% under spiked-influent conditions. Phoenix elements also meet NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 certification for lead-free materials, meaning the filter housing and components themselves contribute no measurable lead to the filtered water.
Do Phoenix elements reduce mercury?
Yes. Mercury was tested at greater than 99.9% reduction by Atom Testing Laboratory under high-challenge spiked-influent conditions (10 ppb input, below 0.1 ppb output).
Do Phoenix elements reduce chloramines?
Yes. Chloramines were tested at greater than 99.9% reduction by Atom Testing Laboratory (3.02 mg/L input, below 0.1 mg/L output). Many municipal water utilities have switched from chlorine to chloramines for disinfection, and chloramines are notably more difficult to reduce than free chlorine. Phoenix is also NSF/ANSI 42 Certified for chlorine reduction.
Do Phoenix elements reduce fluoride?
Phoenix elements were independently tested at 75.5% fluoride reduction under high-challenge conditions (8000 ppb input, 1960 ppb output). 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 the Phoenix elements in any standard Berkey gravity system.
What labs conducted Phoenix testing?
Testing was conducted by three independent laboratories with no financial relationship to Berkey beyond paid testing services: CVR Labs, RAYNU Analytical Labs, and Atom Testing Laboratory (all NABL-accredited and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified), along with NSF certification testing for the NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 standards. Testing methodology followed NSF/ANSI protocols, EPA guidelines, APHA Standard Methods (22nd Edition), and AOAC (20th Edition) procedures.
Where are the original Phoenix lab reports?
Every test series referenced on this page is documented in published lab reports available for download. Visit the Phoenix Lab Results page to access the full testing portfolio organized by contaminant category, with direct PDF downloads from CVR Labs, RAYNU Analytical Labs, and Atom Testing Laboratory.
Are Phoenix elements compatible with my existing Berkey system?
Yes. Phoenix New Millennium Edition elements are a direct drop-in replacement for any standard Berkey gravity system, including Travel Berkey, Big Berkey, Royal Berkey, Imperial Berkey, and Crown Berkey. Phoenix uses the same threading, hardware, and chamber configuration as Black Berkey elements. New Berkey systems currently ship with Black Berkey elements; Phoenix is sold as the in-stock replacement when those expire or as a parallel option for households who want NSF certification.
Go deeper into the underlying lab data, certification standards, and product comparisons across the Berkey testing hub.
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By
Dan DeBaun
