B+W · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection
B+W Basic UV Haze MRC Filter
Glass optics unlikely PFAS risk. Coating composition undisclosed by brand.
B+W UV filters are optical glass with multi-coated anti-reflection coating. No PFAS disclosure available; coating specifics unknown but typical lens coatings rarely use PFAS. Lower concern product.
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Material
Optical glass with multi-coated (MRC) lens coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Unknown / proprietary coating
Proprietary coating with no disclosed chemistry.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
B+W Basic UV Haze filters consist of optical glass (borosilicate or soda-lime silicate) with a multi-coated (MRC) anti-reflective lens coating applied to both surfaces. The glass substrate itself is chemically inert and poses no leaching or off-gassing risk under normal use. The coating composition is proprietary and undisclosed by B+W, typical of the optical filter industry, but MRC coatings are generally hard inorganic oxide layers (magnesium fluoride, silicon oxide, or similar) designed to reduce reflections and improve light transmission.
The brand's record and disclosure
B+W (part of the Schneider Optics Group) does not publicly disclose detailed material safety data, PFAS content, or environmental sourcing for optical filters. No product recalls, safety controversies, or documented contamination issues are on public record for this product line. The brand is established in professional optical manufacturing but offers minimal transparency compared to consumer goods sectors; this is industry-standard practice for optical components rather than a red flag.
How it compares in its category
UV and haze filters are among the lowest-risk camera accessories because they do not heat, degrade easily, or contact skin or food. The B+W Basic variant is a budget-tier option with single-layer MRC coating versus premium multi-layer coatings on higher-end filters, but this affects optical performance, not safety. Competing filters from Hoya, Tiffen, and Kenko are similarly opaque on coating composition; no major brand in this category discloses or publishes safety test data.
If you buy it
Store the filter in a dust cap or protective case to prevent scratching the coated surfaces, which can degrade optical quality but poses no health risk. Clean with lens paper and lens cleaning solution only; avoid abrasive cloths that may wear the coating. Replace if the glass develops chips or cracks, though broken glass is a mechanical injury hazard, not a chemical one. No special temperature, moisture, or usage precautions are required for normal camera operation.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Coating delamination or wear
MRC coatings on budget filters may degrade with age or rough handling, but degradation affects only optical performance (reduced anti-reflective benefit), not chemical safety or leaching.
Trace heavy metals in optical glass or coating
Modern borosilicate optical glass is formulated to exclude lead and cadmium; B+W does not disclose raw material sourcing, but no contamination incidents are documented for this product or brand.
Coating manufacturing residues
Proprietary MRC coating processes may leave solvents or catalysts, but filters undergo quality control before sale and are not in contact with skin, food, or inhalation pathways during normal use.
Glass dust if broken
Broken filter glass presents a mechanical cutting and inhalation hazard similar to any glass object; not specific to this product but relevant if mishandled or dropped.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection
B+W
67mm UV Haze Filter
Glass optic with multi-coated lens surfaces
Lower concern. Optical glass and standard coatings unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
B+W
UV Haze 010 Filter
Optical glass lens with multi-coated optical surfaces
Lower concern. Optical glass filters rarely use PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
B+W
Basic Clear Filter MRC
Optical glass, multi-coated
Lower PFAS concern. Optical glass filters rarely use PFAS-based coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof camera & lens protection 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.