Pelican · Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Pelican Protector MagSafe Case iPhone 17
No public PFAS statement. Waterproof cases frequently use water-repellent coating coatings.
Pelican does not publicly reveal PFAS use or avoidance in this MagSafe case. Waterproof phone cases often use water-repellent coating treatments that may contain PFAS.
The safe swap
Pelican
Pelican Shield Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
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 elastomer (TPE) or polycarbonate blend with waterproofing treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Pelican does not disclose the chemical composition of its water-repellent coating. Fluorinated polymers and legacy PFOA/PFOS derivatives are standard in phone-case waterproofing; absence of a public statement or third-party test strongly suggests PFAS presence.
Source: ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
As the water-repellent coating ages or flakes due to heat, UV, or mechanical wear, small particles may shed into skin contact areas or be ingested if the case fragments. No failure timeline is published; degradation varies by use pattern.
What’s reassuring
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) thermal softening
TPE is non-toxic but can soften above 60 degrees Celsius, potentially causing shape distortion and loss of protective function. This is a performance hazard rather than a chemical toxicity hazard; no health incidents are on record.
Heavy metals
Polycarbonate and TPE do not inherently contain lead, cadmium, or antimony when manufactured to standard specifications. Pelican's production is unlikely to include such additives, but material certifications are not publicly available to confirm.
Source: FDA ↗Contact allergens or irritants from coating or adhesives
No reported cases of skin sensitization or irritation from Pelican MagSafe cases. The coating and adhesives used are not publicly identified, so allergen risk cannot be fully ruled out for sensitive individuals.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This case uses a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or polycarbonate blend, both of which are chemically stable at room temperature and do not leach BPA, phthalates, or heavy metals under normal phone-use conditions. The waterproofing treatment is the concern: Pelican does not publicly disclose the chemistry of its water-repellent (water-repellent coating) coating, which in the mobile accessory industry is often a fluorinated polymer or PFOA-family compound. TPE and polycarbonate themselves are inert, but the coating's composition remains opaque.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican is known for rugged outdoor cases and equipment but has not published transparency reports on chemical composition, PFAS use, or third-party testing for phone cases. The brand has no established certifications (such as bluesign or GOTS) for consumer product safety disclosure. No major recalls or safety controversies specific to this case model are on record, but the silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is notable for a premium product at this price point.
How it compares in its category
Premium phone cases commonly use TPE or polycarbonate blends with proprietary waterproof treatments; Pelican's offering is typical in this regard. Some competitors (e.g., OtterBox, Spigen) also do not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry, making the category-wide issue transparency gaps rather than Pelican-specific failure. Cases without explicit waterproofing claims avoid this hazard entirely but sacrifice water resistance that many buyers prioritize.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or high heat (above 60 degrees Celsius / 140 degrees Fahrenheit), as TPE can soften and coatings may degrade, potentially releasing coating particles. Clean with mild soap and cool water only; do not use solvents or acetone, which can strip the water-repellent coating and cause microplastic shedding. Inspect the case quarterly for cracking, peeling, or discoloration, and replace if the waterproof seal visibly degrades. If PFAS exposure concerns you, contact Pelican directly for coating composition; silence suggests PFAS-containing chemistry is likely.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% 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 Smartphone Cases
Mophie
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Lithium-ion battery thermal runaway risk
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Counterfeit or degraded battery cell defects
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Pelican
Shield Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Polycarbonate shell, rubber grip
Polycarbonate thermal degradation and leaching
Limited concern
Rubber grip degradation and allergens
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from wear
Limited concern
BPA & bisphenols
Limited concern
Lower concern; typical phone case with no suspected PFAS use.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smartphone 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.