Pelican · Waterproof Phone Cases
Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Case
Waterproof marine cases often use water-repellent coating coatings; Pelican does not disclose PFAS status.
Pelican's waterproof phone cases likely employ water-repellent treatments typical of marine gear, which may contain PFAS. The brand provides no public disclosure on PFAS content or testing.
The safe swap
Griffin
Griffin Survivor Strong for iPhone 11 Pro GIP-023
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
Polypropylene case with waterproof seals and coatings
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
water-repellent coating treatments on seals and seams almost certainly contain per- or polyfluorinated compounds. Pelican does not disclose formulation, and no testing data is publicly available for this specific product.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Repeated opening and closing of the waterproof seals can generate microscopic polypropylene particles; risk is low during normal use but increases with age and mechanical stress.
Source: EPA ↗Coating degradation and leachables
Over years of use, water-repellent coating coatings break down from UV, heat, and friction. As the coating degrades, residual fluorinated surfactants or solvents may leach into contact surfaces; no long-term aging data is published for this model.
What’s reassuring
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from off-gassing
Polypropylene itself has low VOC off-gas potential. No reports of odor complaints or air-quality issues specific to this case; any off-gassing would be minimal compared to other protective enclosures.
Heavy metals
Pelican cases typically use minimal dyes and adhesives; no documented recalls or testing data indicate heavy metal contamination in seals or coatings for this product line.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This case is polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic polymer chosen for its inherent water resistance, light weight, and durability. Polypropylene itself does not leach harmful chemicals under normal phone-use conditions. The waterproof integrity, however, depends on seals and water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings applied to fabric gaskets or seam treatments, which are industry-standard sources of PFAS chemicals that repel water and oil.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican is known for rugged protective cases and equipment, but does not publicly disclose chemical composition of waterproofing treatments or confirm PFAS-free status. The company has no published commitment to phasing out PFAS in consumer product lines. No major recalls of this specific case for chemical leaching have been documented, but the silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of the marine-grade case industry.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof phone cases universally rely on coatings or seals to function, making this hazard unavoidable in the category. Pelican cases are mid-to-premium tier in durability and brand recognition. Some competitors (notably brands pursuing PFAS-free certifications) market fluorine-free alternatives, though availability is limited and performance claims vary. This product sits in the conventional majority rather than the leading edge of chemical transparency.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged contact between skin and seals; wash hands after extended handling. Do not heat the case or expose it to sustained temperatures above 50°C, as this may accelerate leaching of coating components. Replace gasket seals every 2-3 years or if visible wear appears; inspect for cracks or degradation before sealing your phone. If the case will contact food or drinking water regularly, consider a certified PFAS-free alternative instead.
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.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Phone Cases
Blackview
C03 Leather Protective Case with Shoulder Strap For Active 7/Active 10 Pro
leather (primary material), shoulder strap
Lead
Limited concern
Synthetic dyes and colorants in leather and strap fabric
Limited concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from tanning and finishing
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lower concern. Leather cases rarely treated with PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Griffin
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Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Limited concern
Lower concern phone case.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Griffin
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Heavy metals
Limited concern
VOC off-gassing (polycarbonate/TPU)
Limited concern
Phone case materials lower concern.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.