Pelican · Waterproof Camera & Gear Bags
Pelican 1615 Air Case
Rigid case with no water-repellent coating; lower PFAS concern.
Pelican 1615 is a hard polypropylene case with polyurethane foam, not treated with water-repellent or stain-resistant coatings. No PFAS disclosure found, but materials are inherently lower-risk.
Shop Pelican on Amazon →Material
Polypropylene shell, polyurethane foam interior
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 Pelican 1615 Air uses a polypropylene (PP) shell and polyurethane foam interior, both thermoplastic materials with well-understood safety profiles in non-food storage. Polypropylene is chemically inert at room temperature and does not leach estrogens or known endocrine disruptors under normal use. Polyurethane foam can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) immediately after manufacture, but Pelican cases are typically aired before sale and the risk drops sharply after opening and ventilation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican does not publicly disclose material sourcing, chemical certifications, or third-party testing results on the 1615 Air. The company has not issued statements on PFAS, phthalates, or flame retardants in this product line. No recalls, safety warnings, or litigation specific to the 1615 Air for chemical hazards appear in public records. Pelican's silence on chemical safety is typical for the hard-case luggage/tool-storage sector, where disclosure is uncommon.
How it compares in its category
Hard protective cases in this category (Pelican, Storm Case, Nanuk) typically use polypropylene or ABS shells with polyurethane or EVA foam interiors. None commonly undergo safety certification for chemical off-gassing or coating toxins because the intended use (dry goods, tools, electronics storage) does not involve food contact or skin contact. The 1615 Air is middle-tier in price and design but chemically indistinguishable from competitors in terms of disclosed hazards.
If you buy it
Unpack and ventilate the case in fresh air for 24 to 48 hours before storing sensitive items to reduce polyurethane foam VOC residue. Avoid exposing the case to direct heat above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) to prevent polymer stress or off-gassing. The foam interior may degrade and crumble over 5 to 10 years of heavy use or temperature cycling; check and replace if chunks appear in stored items. Store in a cool, dry location away from solvents and strong odors, which can penetrate polyurethane.
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.”
polyurethane foam off-gassing (VOC)
New polyurethane foam can release volatile organic compounds (isocyanates, amines) in the first days to weeks after manufacture. Ventilation on arrival and before heavy use minimizes inhalation risk.
polyurethane foam degradation and particulate shedding
Polyurethane foam interior can crumble, yellow, and shed particles after prolonged storage or temperature cycling. Shed foam particles are not acutely toxic but may irritate respiratory tracts if inhaled in dust form during case opening.
polypropylene brittleness at low temperature
Polypropylene becomes brittle below -10 degrees Celsius but does not leach or off-gas hazardous chemicals in response to temperature. No health hazard reported from brittle plastic itself.
mold and bacterial growth in humid foam
Polyurethane foam in high-humidity or water-exposed conditions can support mold and bacterial colonies if the case is not dried promptly. This is an indoor air quality and material integrity concern, not a chemical toxicity concern.
metal latch and hinge corrosion
Pelican 1615 uses stainless steel or powder-coated aluminum latches and hinges. No recalls or public reports of heavy metal leaching from hardware into stored contents.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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.