Griffin · Waterproof Phone Cases
Griffin Survivor iPhone Gb36203
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes polycarbonate shell, with no water-repellent coating named. Water resistance on products like this usually comes from the material and its seals rather than a surface treatment. The brand has published no PFAS statement for it.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Polycarbonate shell
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Griffin Survivor iPhone Gb36203 is made of, ingredients and materials
The Survivor case uses polycarbonate (PC) as its primary shell material, a rigid thermoplastic polymer chosen for impact absorption and durability. Polycarbonate itself does not leach BPA under normal phone-use conditions (room temperature, no solvents or prolonged UV exposure). The case is designed with mechanical seals and gaskets rather than chemical coatings to achieve water resistance, meaning hazard from coating degradation is minimal.
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.
Degradation of mechanical seals over time
Gaskets and snap closures can degrade with thermal cycling and UV exposure, compromising waterproofing and potentially allowing moisture entry that could damage the phone. This is a functional rather than chemical hazard but affects long-term safety.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
Polycarbonate does not migrate BPA into phone contact at room temperature under normal use. No reports of BPA leaching from phone cases of this type in published safety literature.
Source, FDA ↗Heavy metals
No independent testing results or brand disclosure available for cadmium, lead, or antimony in this case. Griffin has not published material compliance statements for heavy metals in phone case pigments.
Source, FDA ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing
Polycarbonate cases typically have minimal VOC off-gassing at room temperature compared to soft rubber or polyurethane overlays. No odor complaints or air-quality concerns have been documented for this model.
Antimony in the polycarbonate resin itself
Some polycarbonate resins use antimony trioxide as a catalyst or flame-retardant synergist. Griffin does not disclose the resin supplier or antimony content; however, antimony migration from intact polycarbonate at room temperature is not established as a hazard in consumer phone cases.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Griffin Technology has not published detailed chemical safety disclosures or third-party certifications for heavy metals or flame retardants in phone cases. No major product recalls specific to chemical hazards have been publicly documented for this model. The brand's silence on PFAS alignment means they have not committed to PFAS-free manufacturing, though the case design itself does not describe waterproofing coatings that would typically introduce PFAS.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof phone cases typically rely on mechanical seals (gaskets, snap closures) rather than applied chemical coatings, so polycarbonate-based designs like this are standard-issue in the category. This approach avoids the hazard of fluorinated water-repellent coatings that some fabric-lined cases use. Compared to cases with rubber or silicone overlays, the rigid PC shell carries lower off-gassing and plasticizer leaching risk.
If you buy it
Inspect gaskets before first use and rinse annually with fresh water to prevent salt/mineral buildup that degrades seals. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight or temperatures above 60°C (140°F), which can stress polycarbonate over time. Replace the case if seals crack or case becomes cloudy/brittle, as these indicate material aging and loss of waterproofing integrity. Store dry; do not seal a wet phone inside for extended periods.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Griffin has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Griffin Survivor iPhone Gb36203?
- Flax fiber and plant-based resin blend, compostable
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Coating degradation and durability over time
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- plant-based bioplastic (flax and other plant fibers)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Thermal degradation and warping
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Plant-based bioplastic (compostable blend)
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- Bioplastic degradation and microparticle shedding
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.