Carbon Block Filters

Point-of-entry (POE) carbon block filters are comprehensive solutions for treating all water entering a home, installed at the main water line to ensure clean water for drinking, bathing, and appliances. These filters use compressed activated carbon blocks for enhanced contaminant removal, making them suitable for households with widespread water quality issues.

What are Point-of-Entry Carbon Block Filters?

POE carbon block filters treat all household water by compressing activated carbon into a dense block, often from coconut shells or coal, to create small pores (0.5–5 microns) for adsorption and mechanical filtration. Installed at the water entry point, they protect the entire home from contaminants like chlorine and VOCs. Certified under NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for aesthetics and NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for health contaminants (e.g., lead, PFAS), these filters are more advanced than GAC but require professional installation.

How It works:

Carbon block filters work through adsorption and mechanical filtration, where contaminants bind to the carbon surface and particles are trapped in the dense structure as water flows through. This process traps organic compounds, chlorine, and some heavy metals, improving water taste and safety. 

They offer broader protection than point of use granular activated carbon (GAC) pitchers but not the inorganic removal of RO.

Carbon block filters are made by compressing activated carbon into a dense, solid block, often mixed with a binding agent to enhance structure. They are common in under-sink and countertop systems.

The dense structure forces water to pass through smaller pores, increasing contact time with the carbon and improving contaminant removal. The block design also acts as a mechanical filter, trapping larger particles

Contaminant Removal Capabilities

POE carbon block filters excel at organics, heavy metals, and particles due to their dense structure and longer contact time, outperforming GAC for health contaminants. They are less effective for dissolved inorganics or microorganisms. See a list of contaminants that activated charcoal systems can assist with:

Contaminant	Can Carbon Block Help?	Explanation
1,1 Dichloroethane	Yes	VOC, effectively removed by carbon block due to dense structure.
1,1 Dichloroethylene	Yes	VOC, certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for carbon block.
1,1 Dichloropropene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective due to longer contact time.
1,1,1 Trichloroethane	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
1,1,1,2 Tetrachloroethane	Yes	VOC, carbon block outperforms GAC.
1,1,2 Trichloroethane	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
1,1,2,2 Tetrachloroethane	Yes	VOC, effectively removed by carbon block.
1,2 Dichlorobenzene	Yes	VOC, certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for carbon block.
1,2 Dichloroethane	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
1,2 Dichloropropane	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
1,2,3 Trichlorobenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block outperforms GAC.
1,2,3 Trichloropropane	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
1,2,4 Trichlorobenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block outperforms GAC.
1,2,4 Trimethylbenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
1,3 Dichlorobenzene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
1,3 Dichloropropane	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
1,3 Dichloropropene	Yes	VOC, carbon block outperforms GAC.
1,3,5 Trimethylbenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
1,4 Dichlorobenzene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
2,2 Dichloropropane	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
Aluminum	Partial	Carbon block may reduce some forms.
Antimony	Partial	Carbon block certified for some reduction.
Arsenic	Partial	Carbon block may reduce As(V).
Benzene	Yes	VOC, certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for carbon block.
Bromobenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block outperforms GAC.
Bromochloromethane	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
Bromodichloromethane	Yes	THM, certified for carbon block.
Bromoform	Yes	THM, certified for carbon block.
Bromomethane	Partial	Volatile gas, partial removal by carbon block.
Cadmium	Partial	Carbon block certified for some reduction.
Carbon Tetrachloride	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Chlorobenzene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Chloroethane	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
Chloroform	Yes	THM, certified for carbon block.
Chloromethane	Partial	Volatile gas, partial removal by carbon block.
Chlorotoluene 2	Yes	VOC, carbon block outperforms GAC.
Chlorotoluene 4	Yes	VOC, carbon block outperforms GAC.
Chromium (Total)	Partial	Carbon block certified for some Cr(VI) reduction.
cis 1,2 Dichloroethylene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Copper	Partial	Carbon block certified for some reduction.
Dibromochloromethane	Yes	THM, certified for carbon block.
Dibromochloropropane	Yes	Pesticide, certified for carbon block.
Dibromomethane	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
Dichlorodifluoromethane	Partial	Volatile gas, partial removal by carbon block.
Dichloromethane	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Ethylbenzene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Ethylene dibromide	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Hexachlorobutadiene	Yes	VOC, carbon block outperforms GAC.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Gas Strip	Yes	Gas, effectively removed by carbon block.
Iron	Partial	Carbon block may reduce some forms.
Isopropylbenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
Lead	Partial	Carbon block certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for reduction.
m,p Xylene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Manganese	Partial	Carbon block may reduce some forms.
Mercury	Partial	Carbon block certified for some reduction.
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
n Butylbenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
n Propylbenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
Naphthalene	Yes	VOC, carbon block outperforms GAC.
o Xylene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
p Isopropyltoluene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
sec Butylbenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
Silver	Partial	Carbon block may reduce some forms.
Styrene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
tert Butylbenzene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
Tetrachloroethylene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Toluene Petroleum Compounds	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Total THMs	Yes	Disinfection byproducts, certified for carbon block.
trans 1,3 Dichloropropene	Yes	VOC, carbon block more effective.
Trichloroethylene	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Trichlorofluoromethane	Partial	Volatile gas, partial removal by carbon block.
Turbidity	Partial	Carbon block reduces fine particles (0.5–5 microns).
Vinyl Chloride	Yes	VOC, certified for carbon block.
Zinc	Partial	Carbon block certified for some reduction.