Pelican · Waterproof Camera & Gear Bags
Pelican 1560SC Studio Case
Lower concern. Protective case uses common polymers without known PFAS risks.
Pelican 1560SC is a hard polypropylene protective case with foam interior. No waterproofing or water-resistant coatings typically applied to rigid cases reduce PFAS risk profile.
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polypropylene, polyurethane foam, stainless steel latch
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
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 1560SC uses injection-molded polypropylene (PP) for its shell, a thermoplastic chosen for rigidity, impact resistance, and chemical stability. Polyurethane foam interior provides cushioning without off-gassing risk typical of lower-density foams. Stainless steel latches and hinges eliminate concerns about nickel leaching or corrosion. PP is considered one of the safer food-contact plastics and does not degrade into known endocrine disruptors under normal storage conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican Products has built a reputation on military and professional equipment with minimal public safety recalls related to material composition. The company does not prominently advertise PFAS avoidance but also shows no pattern of fluorinated polymer use in protective cases. Independent testing and professional user communities report consistent material quality over decades, though Pelican does not publish detailed chemical composition or third-party safety certifications for non-chemical hazards.
How it compares in its category
Hard protective cases in this price and durability tier typically use polypropylene, ABS plastic, or polycarbonate shells. Polypropylene is the least chemically reactive of these options and does not carry the known issues associated with polycarbonate (BPA leaching) or lower-grade ABS (residual styrene). The Pelican brand commands a premium partly because material consistency and foam formulations are documented across production batches, reducing variability hazards.
If you buy it
Store the case indoors away from direct UV and extreme heat to slow any minor polymer degradation; sustained exposure above 80 degrees Celsius is not a concern for typical studio use. Do not store reactive chemicals, solvents, or acidic materials inside; polypropylene resists most common substances but can soften with prolonged contact to chlorinated hydrocarbons. Inspect foam padding every 2-3 years for compression or flaking; if foam deteriorates visibly, replacement padding is available. Rinse stainless steel latches occasionally to prevent salt or debris accumulation if the case is transported in humid or coastal environments.
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.”
Polypropylene microplastics from wear
Over many years, mechanical stress on case walls and latches can generate microplastics; risk is minimal if case contents are not food or water, and is lower than with softer plastics. Pelican cases are designed to resist this via thick walls and reinforced hinges.
Polyurethane foam degradation
PU foam can slowly break down and release particulate matter if exposed to ozone, UV, or prolonged humidity; the 1560SC interior foam is denser than consumer-grade options, slowing this process, but replacement is advisable if padding becomes visibly dusty or flaky.
Off-gassing from adhesives or solvents
No recalls or user reports of VOC or solvent off-gassing from 1560SC cases. Injection-molded PP and spray-applied or glued foam can theoretically off-gas, but Pelican's manufacturing standards and decades of field use in enclosed aircraft and vehicles suggest minimal volatile emission risk.
Stainless steel nickel leaching
Stainless steel latches on this model are a low-risk choice; no documented cases of nickel migration into stored items. Risk is negligible because latches are not in direct contact with skin and any stored contents are typically durable goods, not food or cosmetics.
Heavy metal contamination in dyes or colorants
The 1560SC uses solid-color polypropylene without pigmented coatings or applied finishes; no established reports of cadmium, lead, or other heavy metals in Pelican case materials. Standard PP production does not involve pigmentation known to carry heavy metal loads.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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.
More waterproof camera & gear bags 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.