Apple · Waterproof Phone Cases
Body Glove Tidal Waterproof Phone Case for iPhone
Skip until Body Glove discloses waterproof coating composition.
Body Glove phone cases use waterproof coatings but provide no public disclosure on PFAS content. Waterproofing treatments in consumer products commonly contain PFAS; unverified coating raises concern.
The safe swap
Incipio
Incipio Velocity for MagSafe for iPhone 17 Pro
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Thermoplastic urethane (TPU) or silicone rubber with proprietary waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Waterproof phone cases almost universally rely on Teflon-family coating-based or fluorochemical water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments. Body Glove's silence on coating composition means PFAS presence cannot be ruled out; this is the primary non-PFAS safety concern tied to PFAS chemistry.
Source: ATSDR ↗TPU or silicone elastomer degradation under UV and heat
Extended exposure to sunlight or high temperatures can cause TPU/silicone to crack, yellow, or leach additives (plasticizers, stabilizers). Phone cases left in cars or on sunny windowsills are at risk; degradation is cosmetic unless polymers are ingested.
Allergic contact dermatitis from case material or processing residues
Silicone and TPU can retain manufacturing residues or accelerators (e.g., tin compounds in silicone) that trigger skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Risk is low but documented for protective cases worn in direct skin contact over hours.
Seal failure and liquid ingress if gaskets degrade
Phone case waterproof seals rely on o-rings and gasket materials that can harden or crack with age. Users report water seeping into phones after 1-2 years of use; this is a functional failure but may correlate with material breakdown and leaching.
What’s reassuring
Phthalates
TPU and silicone rubber formulations used in phone cases do not typically contain lead, cadmium, or phthalates; these are not standard additives in elastomer cases as they are in vinyl or PVC alternatives.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Body Glove Tidal cases use thermoplastic urethane (TPU) or silicone rubber as the base elastomer, both generally recognized as non-toxic and free of leachable additives under normal phone-case use conditions. The critical unknown is the proprietary waterproof coating applied to achieve IP-rated sealing; manufacturers commonly use Teflon-family coating-based coatings (Teflon-type coating derivatives) or siloxane treatments to repel water, and Teflon-family coating coatings are a known vector for PFAS chemicals. Body Glove has not publicly disclosed the chemical identity of this coating, making it impossible to assess whether PFAS or other persistent chemicals are present.
The brand's record and disclosure
Body Glove (a subsidiary of Freudenberg & Co.) has not published ingredient transparency reports or PFAS-free certifications for their protective cases. The brand's silence on waterproof coating chemistry is typical of the consumer electronics accessories industry, where such formulations are often treated as proprietary. No major safety recalls or regulatory warnings have been issued for Body Glove phone cases in the U.S., but absence of disclosure is not the same as absence of hazard.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof phone cases occupy a murky space in consumer safety: most competitors (OtterBox, Spigen, LifeProof) similarly withhold waterproof coating details. Cases made from uncoated silicone or TPU without additional waterproof treatments are marginally safer by virtue of fewer chemical additives, though they offer less water protection. Body Glove's design is mainstream for mid-tier protective cases; the hazard difference versus competitors is small but hinges on the mystery coating formulation.
If you buy it
Store the case in a cool, dry place away from prolonged heat (above 60°C/140°F can degrade TPU and release volatiles). Wipe the case regularly with a damp cloth rather than harsh solvents; do not soak or submerge it beyond the rated IP depth. Inspect seals and gaskets every 6-12 months for cracking or separation. Replace the case if you notice discoloration, brittleness, or odor, which may signal coating or material breakdown.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Apple has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Phone Cases
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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from tanning and finishing
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Formaldehyde / VOCs
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Griffin
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Griffin
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Heavy metals
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VOC off-gassing (polycarbonate/TPU)
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More waterproof phone cases grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.