B+W · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection
B+W Master Clear Filter MRC Nano
Glass base lower concern, nano-coating composition undisclosed by brand.
B+W's MRC Nano uses glass with a proprietary water-repellent nano-coating. Coating chemistry unspecified; no PFAS disclosure or testing data available.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Glass with water-repellent nano-coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
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.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The B+W Master Clear is a glass optical filter with a proprietary water-repellent nano-coating (MRC Nano). The glass substrate itself is chemically stable and does not leach contaminants into food, water, or contact with skin. The nano-coating's exact composition is not disclosed by B+W; such coatings often rely on silane chemistry or Teflon-family coating to achieve water-beading properties, which introduces uncertainty around PFAS content (covered separately in your PFAS grade).
The brand's record and disclosure
B+W (a division of Schneider Optics) has not published transparency reports on nano-coating chemistry or PFAS use in their optical coatings. No safety recalls, contamination incidents, or independent lab findings of hazardous substances in B+W filters are on public record. The brand's silence on coating composition limits independent verification but does not indicate a known problem.
How it compares in its category
Optical filters (camera, lighting) are a minor-exposure category compared to cookware or food packaging. Glass-based filters with hydrophobic coatings are standard across the industry; B+W is a market leader. Uncoated glass filters exist but offer less water resistance. The MRC Nano coating is competitive in durability but introduces the nano-material unknowns that define this product's risk profile.
If you buy it
Handle with care to avoid scratching the nano-coating, which can reduce performance. Clean with lens cloth or mild soap and distilled water; avoid harsh solvents that might degrade the coating. The coating should remain stable during normal storage and use at room temperature. Replace only if optical clarity degrades or coating delamination becomes visible; the filter itself has no expiration.
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.”
Nano-coating leaching or off-gassing
No reports of optical filter nano-coatings leaching into skin, water, or air under normal use. Glass does not off-gas; the coating risk is mainly if mechanically damaged or exposed to extreme heat (far outside intended use as a camera filter).
Coating degradation over time
Water-repellent nano-coatings on optics can degrade with prolonged UV exposure, humidity, or mechanical wear. B+W does not publish durability timelines; expected lifespan is typically several years with normal care. Degraded coating reduces function but does not create a direct safety hazard.
Heavy metals in glass or coating
Optical glass from reputable manufacturers is formulated to avoid lead and cadmium; B+W is ISO-certified for optical products. No independent testing or recalls suggest contamination. The nano-coating composition is undisclosed but is not in contact with consumables.
Microabrasion or particle shedding from coating
Well-bonded nano-coatings do not shed particles during normal use. Damage (scratching, chipping) could theoretically release coating fragments, but this is a durability issue, not a chemical hazard, and would be immediately visible.
Undisclosed PFAS in hydrophobic coating
Water-repellent nano-coatings commonly use fluorochemistry; B+W has not confirmed or denied PFAS use. As a camera filter in non-food applications, exposure to humans is negligible unless coating degrades and particles are inhaled or ingested, which is not a standard use scenario.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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.