Griffin · Waterproof Phone & Tech Cases
Griffin Survivor All-Terrain Carrying Case for Smartphone
Skip. Waterproof case likely contains PFAS, no brand disclosure.
Griffin's Survivor case uses waterproof treatment that typically employs PFAS. Griffin provides no material transparency or PFAS statement. Higher-concern purchase without third-party verification.
The safe swap
Spigen Tough Armor
iPhone 17 Series Tough Armor T AI MagFit Case
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Plastic shell with waterproof coating/treatment
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
Griffin Survivor cases use a rigid plastic shell (typically polycarbonate or ABS blend) with a waterproof elastomer or coating layer that repels water. The waterproof treatment is the critical component: water-resistant coatings on consumer plastics commonly contain PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) to achieve durability and hydrophobic properties. This coating degrades slowly over years of use, and the actual material composition is not publicly disclosed by Griffin.
The brand's record and disclosure
Griffin does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of the waterproof treatment or the polymer matrix in the Survivor line. The company has no published sustainability certifications, PFAS commitments, or third-party chemical testing results for this product category. Griffin has not faced major product recalls related to chemical leaching, but the lack of transparency on waterproof coatings aligns with industry-wide reluctance to disclose PFAS use.
How it compares in its category
Most smartphone cases with waterproof/dust-resistant claims use PFAS-based coatings; Griffin's Survivor is mainstream in this space. Cases without waterproofing claims typically avoid PFAS-heavy treatments but sacrifice protection. Hard-case alternatives labeled 'PFAS-free' or made entirely from closed-cell foam without coatings exist but are rarer. Griffin's product is neither notably safer nor riskier than market competitors in its category.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged contact between the case and food, skin, or drinkware, especially if the coating shows visible cracks or peeling. Do not heat the case or expose it to direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can accelerate polymer degradation. Replace the case if the coating delaminates, tears, or discolors, as structural integrity is tied to water protection. Wash hands after extended handling if the coating is visibly worn.
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 cases almost universally rely on fluorinated polymers or fluorosurfactant treatments to achieve water repellency. Griffin does not disclose this; absence of disclosure in a waterproof product is a strong indicator of PFAS presence.
Coating degradation and leaching
Plastic cases with applied waterproof coatings degrade under UV, heat, and mechanical stress over 2-5 years. As the coating flakes or peels, it may shed microparticles and release monomers from the polymer base into contact surfaces.
BPA or BPS in base plastic
Modern polycarbonate and ABS polymers used in phone cases typically do not contain intentional BPA or BPS, though recycled plastic batches may carry residual contaminants. Griffin's base plastics are not documented as BPA-containing, but material sourcing is not disclosed.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Sealed plastic shells and elastomer coatings may emit low levels of VOCs (solvents, plasticizers) during the first weeks of use. This is not reported as a concern for this product but is typical of new plastic goods.
Antimony or other trace heavy metals
Polycarbonate and ABS plastics may contain trace antimony as a catalyst residue, but leaching into a smartphone case interior is not a documented risk. No recalls or testing reports exist for Griffin Survivor cases.
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 Phone & Tech Cases
Spigen Tough Armor
iPhone 17 Series Tough Armor T AI MagFit Case
Polycarbonate and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)
No PFAS risk signals detected in this rigid plastic case.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Spigen Tough Armor
Samsung Galaxy S24
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polycarbonate (PC)
Lower concern. Phone case, not high-risk product category.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Spigen Tough Armor
Spigen Galaxy S23 Series Case Tough Armor
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polycarbonate blend
Lower concern; no known PFAS-prone materials or treatments identified.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof phone & tech 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.