Pelican · Waterproof Personal Electronics Cases
Pelican Marine Waterproof Case for iPhone XS/X
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes polycarbonate/polypropylene, 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/polypropylene
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.
Polycarbonate degradation under UV and heat
Polycarbonate is prone to yellowing and embrittlement with prolonged UV exposure or heat above 70°C. This affects structural integrity and seal reliability over years of sun exposure, not acute toxicity, but may compromise waterproof performance.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Gasket material stability (elastomer composition not disclosed)
Pelican cases use standard synthetic rubber or silicone gaskets; no hazardous content is documented. Brand does not disclose specific elastomer chemistry, but class standards and absence of antimicrobial claims suggest conventional EPDM or silicone without phthalates or halogenated flame retardants.
Microplastics
Polycarbonate snap closures and PP hinge wear normally do not shed microplastics at detectable levels during typical handheld storage. Risk is negligible unless case is deliberately abraded or crushed; this is not a documented issue for this product category.
Source, EPA ↗Polymer leaching into stored contents
Polycarbonate and PP are inert at room temperature and do not leach BPA, phthalates, or other compounds into dry electronics or brief water exposure. Risk is near zero unless contents are stored hot or soaked in organic solvents.
Chemical residue from manufacturing molds or assembly
Pelican cases are manufactured to standard plastic injection-molding practices. No known residues (mold-release agents, uncrosslinked oligomers) have been reported as a safety issue; ventilation before first use is routine best practice but not a documented concern for this brand.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This case is constructed from polycarbonate (rigid outer shell) and polypropylene (gasket seals and internal components). Both are commodity plastics with no inherent heavy metals, formaldehyde, or volatile organic compounds in their base resin. The waterproof rating (IP67 or similar) is achieved through precision-molded seams, elastomer gaskets, and snap closures, not coatings or chemical treatments. Polycarbonate is impact-resistant but can degrade under prolonged UV exposure or high heat; polypropylene gaskets remain stable under normal storage conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican Products is a well-established manufacturer of protective cases with no major safety recalls or public controversies on record for consumer electronics cases. The brand has not issued a formal PFAS statement for this product line, and no coating composition is detailed in public documentation. Pelican does not market antimicrobial or stain-resistant finishes on this model, which suggests absence of intentional chemical additives beyond the base polymers and standard elastomer gaskets.
How it compares in its category
Rigid polycarbonate/PP cases are industry standard for waterproof electronics protection and carry lower chemical exposure risk than foam-lined or vinyl-coated alternatives. Unlike silicone cases (which can leach oligomers) or neoprene sleeves (which may contain flame retardants), this hard case relies on physical design for protection. Most competitors in the marine case category use identical or very similar materials, making Pelican's approach typical and conservative.
If you buy it
Rinse the gasket seals with fresh water after saltwater exposure to prevent salt crusting and maintain waterproof integrity. Do not expose the case to sustained temperatures above 60°C (140°F) as polycarbonate can warp. Replace gaskets if they harden, crack, or no longer compress evenly. Store dry and away from direct sunlight to slow polycarbonate yellowing; UV damage is cosmetic but can eventually compromise seal fit.
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
- Pelican has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof personal electronics 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.