Case-Mate · Waterproof Electronics Cases
Case Mate Waterproof Phone Case-Wavy Pink Sparkle
Skip pending material disclosure; waterproof coating source unclear.
Case-Mate does not disclose coating chemistry or PFAS status. Waterproof phone cases often use water-repellent coating treatments that may contain PFAS, but this brand provides no transparency.
The safe swap
Mous
Mous MagSafe Compatible Aramid Fibre Phone Case
85/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
TPU/rubber with unspecified waterproof 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
Case-Mate Wavy Pink Sparkle is constructed from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), a flexible polymer widely used in phone cases for drop protection and water resistance. The case includes an unspecified waterproof or water-resistant coating, which is the primary unknown: waterproof coatings in consumer phone accessories often rely on PFAS-based hydrophobic treatments (Teflon-family coating), though non-fluorinated alternatives exist. TPU itself is not classified as a primary toxicity concern in typical use, but the coating chemistry and whether it sheds microparticles during normal handling remain undisclosed by the brand.
The brand's record and disclosure
Case-Mate has not publicly disclosed material safety data, PFAS content, or coating composition for this product line. The brand has no known certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, GreenGuard) that would signal independent testing or restricted-substance compliance. No recalls or established contamination incidents involving Case-Mate phone cases have been documented in public safety databases, but the lack of transparency on waterproof coating sources is a significant gap in consumer assurance.
How it compares in its category
Phone cases occupy a lower-risk category than cookware or textiles because they do not contact food, skin for extended periods, or ingestion pathways. However, waterproof phone cases occupy a gray zone: if the coating contains PFAS, prolonged skin contact and potential coating wear could pose minor exposure routes. Competitors like Otterbox and Spigen provide similar protection but rarely disclose coating specifics either, making this a category-wide transparency problem rather than a Case-Mate-specific failure.
If you buy it
Wash hands after extended handling to minimize any potential coating particle or residue transfer. Avoid exposing the case to high heat (above 50-60 degrees Celsius) or direct sunlight for prolonged periods, as TPU can degrade and leach plasticizers over time. Replace the case if the material becomes visibly cracked, peeling, or discolored, as degraded TPU may shed microparticles. Do not use near the mouth or with children's faces, and consider requesting written material safety confirmation from Case-Mate if PFAS concern is a priority for your household.
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.”
PFAS in waterproof coating
Waterproof coatings on phone cases frequently use PFAS-based Teflon-family coating; Case-Mate has not disclosed coating source or PFAS status. Graded separately (40/100 safety) pending material transparency.
TPU plasticizer leaching over time
TPU contains plasticizers that can migrate, especially when exposed to heat, UV, or oils. Risk is low under normal phone-case use but increases with case age or high temperatures; no specific studies on Case-Mate cases exist.
Coating microparticle shedding
No published reports of coating degradation or particulate release from Case-Mate waterproof cases. Risk is theoretical and depends on coating durability, which is undisclosed.
Heavy metals in sparkle pigments
Decorative sparkle effects in pink cases may use mica, dyes, or pigments; no reports of lead or cadmium in Case-Mate case colorants, and skin contact exposure is minimal during normal use.
Azo dyes in pink colorant
Pink TPU casings may contain azo dyes; azo dye toxicity is primarily a concern in textiles with skin absorption. Phone-case skin contact is brief and external, making risk negligible, with no Case-Mate incidents documented.
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 Electronics Cases
Mous
MagSafe Compatible Aramid Fibre Phone Case
Aramid fiber (Kevlar-type synthetic polymer)
Lower concern; aramid is inherently PFAS-free but verify final coating.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Pelican
Shield Carbon Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S24
Polycarbonate shell, foam padding
Lower concern; typical phone case materials rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Amazon Basics
Clear Soft Tpu Smartphone Cover For Iphone 2021
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
Lower concern. TPU phone cases rarely use PFAS, but Amazon discloses nothing.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof 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.