Pelican · Waterproof Personal Electronics Cases
Pelican Ranger iPhone 16 Pro
Limited public PFAS information. Contact Pelican about waterproofing specifics.
Pelican waterproofs its iPhone case with proprietary sealants but won't say whether they contain PFAS. You'll need to ask the company directly about their waterproofing formula.
The better-graded swap
![Cacoe [floatable] Floating Universal Ipx8 Waterproof Phone Case 2](/img/9784/caudabe-cacoe-floatable-floating-universal-ipx8-waterproof-phone-case-2)
Cacoe
Cacoe [floatable] Floating Universal Ipx8 Waterproof Phone Case 2
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
Polycarbonate shell, likely with water/dust-resistant sealing
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Pelican Ranger iPhone 16 Pro is made of, ingredients and materials
The Ranger iPhone 16 Pro uses polycarbonate (PC), a rigid engineering plastic chosen for drop protection and clarity. Polycarbonate itself does not leach BPA during normal use at room temperature, though older PC formulations may contain trace BPA as a residual monomer. The sealing adhesives and water-resistant gaskets are the actual chemical wildcard; their composition is not publicly detailed by Pelican.
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.
Waterproofing adhesive/gasket leachables
Pelican does not publicly specify the chemical composition of sealing gaskets or bonding adhesives. Common sealants may contain residual solvents or siloxanes, but no established recalls or complaints document leaching into skin or phone internals.
Microplastics
Extended outdoor UV exposure can cause PC to become brittle and microscopic fragments may shed; this is mechanical degradation rather than a chemical release risk and is typical for all PC cases.
Source, EPA ↗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 cases do not typically leach BPA into food or skin during normal handling. Risk would be negligible even if trace BPA exists in the raw material, as the case does not contact mucous membranes or food.
Source, FDA ↗Flame retardants
High-impact polycarbonate may contain flame retardant additives (phosphorus or halogenated compounds) to meet standards. No public data suggests these leach during phone case use, which involves no heating or food contact.
Source, EPA ↗Off-gassing from printing/labeling inks
Printed logos or labels on the case may contain organic solvents that off-gas, but exposure is minimal and dissipates quickly. No specific reports tie Pelican cases to solvent odor complaints.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican is a long-established protective equipment manufacturer with no public health controversies or recalls tied to chemical leaching from phone cases. The company does not openly disclose material sourcing, chemical composition, or third-party testing for consumer cases. Their water-resistance claims rely on mechanical sealing design rather than public certification (e.g., no IEC 60529 rating statement found).
How it compares in its category
Rigid polycarbonate cases are the mainstream choice for protective phone accessories and carry minimal documented chemical risk compared to soft TPU or vinyl alternatives, which can off-gas plasticizers. Pelican's brand heritage in military and industrial protection gives it higher assumed quality control than budget or novelty cases. Most competitors in this price tier use identical PC and similar sealed gasket designs without disclosure.
If you buy it
Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources above 60 degrees Celsius to avoid any minor stress-cracking of PC over years. The sealing gaskets should remain effective indefinitely if kept dry; no routine maintenance is needed. If water intrusion occurs, discontinue use and dry thoroughly. Replace if cracks appear, as they compromise both drop protection and water resistance.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Pelican has made a specific claim
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.