Berkley FireLine · Fishing Line & Fishing Tackle
Berkley FireLine Original Fishing Line
Skip, Teflon-family coating raises PFAS concern.
FireLine uses braided Dyneema polyethylene with a Teflon-family coating for durability and slickness. Brand discloses no PFAS data, and Teflon-family coating coatings often contain PFAS.
The safe swap
Shakespeare
Shakespeare Sportfisher Fishing Mono filament Line
85/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Dyneema polyethylene with Teflon-family coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Fluoropolymer detected
A Teflon-family coating was identified.
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
FireLine Original uses Dyneema, a ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber core, which is inherently chemically inert and does not leach plastic additives into water. The Teflon-family coating applied to the fiber is designed to reduce friction and improve handling. Teflon-family coating by definition contain fluorine bonds; the specific formulation and whether it includes PFOA-class PFAS compounds is not publicly disclosed by Berkley. This coating is the primary unknown factor in the product's safety profile.
The brand's record and disclosure
Berkley (owned by Jarden/Newell Brands) has not published detailed material safety data sheets or PFAS transparency statements for fishing line products. The company does not market FireLine as PFAS-free or low-PFAS. No recalls specific to chemical leaching from FireLine have been publicly recorded. Absence of disclosure does not indicate safety, but reflects limited third-party testing and industry-standard opacity around coating chemistry in fishing tackle.
How it compares in its category
Most braided fishing lines use some form of Teflon-family coating or wax coating for performance; FireLine is typical in this respect. Monofilament nylon alternatives avoid Teflon-family coating coatings but absorb water and degrade faster. Fully uncoated Dyneema lines exist but are rare and less user-friendly. FireLine's popularity reflects its durability and casting properties, not safety certification; the coating trade-off is standard across premium braided lines.
If you buy it
Store line away from direct sunlight and heat, as polyethylene can degrade and potentially shed microfibers if UV-damaged. Do not expose to temperatures above 80-85°C (176-185°F), as the Teflon-family coating may soften. Replace line annually or after visible wear, fraying, or loss of surface smoothness. Dispose of used line responsibly (not in water or landfill if possible); Teflon-family coating-coated synthetics are slow to biodegrade.
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.”
Teflon-family coating composition (PFAS concern)
The Teflon-family coating applied to FireLine is not identified as PFOA-free or PFAS-free in public materials. Modern Teflon-family coating often use shorter-chain compounds, but Berkley has not disclosed the specific chemistry. Potential for trace leaching into water or hand-to-mouth transfer is not ruled out.
Microfiber shedding from coating degradation
Dyneema with applied coatings can shed fibers if abraded, UV-damaged, or aged. These microfibers are not biodegradable and could accumulate in aquatic environments or gut of fish. No health risk to user, but environmental concern if line breaks or degrades in water.
Thermal instability of polyethylene core
UHMWPE (Dyneema) itself is stable up to ~80-85°C; no reports of toxic off-gassing or decomposition at normal fishing conditions. Risk only if line is stored in extreme heat (car trunk in summer, near heat source) or reused after fire exposure.
Heavy metals or dyes in coating
No recalls or published testing data indicate lead, cadmium, or azo dye hazards in FireLine. Fishing line coatings are typically simple Teflon-family coating or wax without pigments, making heavy metal contamination unlikely.
Allergen or irritant contact from line handling
No formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds are inherent to Dyneema or standard Teflon-family coating coatings. Hand irritation from handling is not documented; line is safe to touch with bare hands.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 68% 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.
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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More fishing line & fishing tackle 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.