BLUNT Metro Compact Umbrella
Skip until Blunt discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or commits to PFAS-free.
BLUNT Metro umbrellas use a water-repellent coating on polyester, typical of compact umbrellas, but the brand does not publicly disclose what water-repellent coating chemistry is used. Water-repellent textiles commonly rely on PFAS-based treatments.
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Material
Polyester canopy with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Blunt does not disclose whether the water-repellent coating uses fluorinated (PFAS) or non-fluorinated chemistry. Fluorinated water-repellent coating is common in the industry; if present, it poses inhalation risk during manufacturing (not consumer use) and eventual environmental/landfill leaching when umbrella is discarded.
Source, ATSDR ↗Mold or bacterial growth if stored wet
Polyester fabric and the enclosed umbrella design can trap moisture. Prolonged wet storage may support mold or bacterial growth in folds and seams, though this is a use/maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-resin finishing or problematic azo-dye reports exist for Blunt polyester umbrellas. Polyester fabric itself does not require formaldehyde crosslinking, and standard textile dyes used for compact umbrella canopies are not flagged as hazardous in this product category.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Polyester canopy does not shed microplastics under typical umbrella use (no heating, abrasion, or washing). This hazard is not a documented concern for umbrellas and applies only to textiles subjected to machine washing or high friction.
Source, EPA ↗Metal frame or handle toxicity
Blunt does not specify frame metals; standard umbrella frames use aluminum or steel with minimal risk of leaching. No lead, cadmium, or antimony concerns are typical for this product category unless components are plated with problematic finishes, which is not documented.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Metro Compact uses a polyester canopy with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. water-repellent coating finishes on textiles are commonly applied using fluorinated compounds (PFAS-based) or newer non-fluorinated alternatives, but Blunt has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they use. Polyester itself is stable and does not leach known toxins under normal umbrella use conditions. The metal frame and handle materials are not detailed in available product information.
The brand's record and disclosure
Blunt does not publish material safety data sheets, PFAS disclosure statements, or third-party certifications for their umbrellas. The brand has no known public commitment to PFAS-free manufacturing or water-repellent coating alternatives. No recalls or safety controversies have been documented for this product line. Their silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is a gap, not a confirmed problem, but prevents informed assessment of fluorine-based water repellent risk.
How it compares in its category
Most compact umbrellas use polyester with water-repellent coating coatings; Blunt's version is industry-standard in material class. Premium competitors (Senz, Fulton) similarly do not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Budget alternatives and umbrella brands with explicit non-fluorinated water-repellent coating or untreated polyester exist but are less common. This product offers no material-safety differentiation within the category.
If you buy it
Store in a dry location and allow to fully air-dry after use to prevent mold or bacterial growth in the canopy folds. Do not machine wash or expose to high heat. The water-repellent coating will gradually diminish with age and repeated washing; once water beads less noticeably (typically 2-5 years), replacement or professional re-coating may be needed. Do not bleach or use harsh detergents, which can degrade both polyester and the water-repellent finish.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Blunt has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More umbrellas 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.