Pelican · Waterproof Camera & Gear Bags
Pelican 1650 Case
Lower concern. Hard plastic case with no known PFAS-prone coatings.
Pelican 1650 is a rigid polypropylene protective case with metal hardware. No waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick coatings that typically contain PFAS.
Shop Pelican on Amazon →Material
Polypropylene copolymer plastic shell, stainless steel latches
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 1650 uses polypropylene (PP) copolymer for its shell, a thermoplastic chosen for impact resistance, low density, and chemical inertness. Polypropylene does not leach BPA, phthalates, or other endocrine disruptors under normal storage and transport conditions. Stainless steel latches avoid corrosion and metal leaching. This material combination is considered food-safe by FDA standards and poses no known off-gassing risk at room temperature.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican is a U.S.-based manufacturer with no public PFAS disclosure or known litigation regarding case materials. The company has not published materials certifications (e.g., SaferProducts, Green Guard) for the 1650 line. Pelican's market position centers on durability and protective function rather than chemical transparency, and no safety recalls or contamination incidents are established for this product line in public records.
How it compares in its category
Hard-shell transport cases in this category typically use polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or polycarbonate. Polypropylene is the least chemically reactive of these options and does not carry the BPA association of polycarbonate. The 1650's sealed design and minimal foam contact mean migration risk is lower than soft cases with adhesive-bonded padding, though no independent testing is published.
If you buy it
No special precautions are needed for normal use. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and high heat (above 65-70°C/150-160°F), though the case is not designed for food contact or high-temperature storage. Clean with mild soap and water; harsh solvents are unnecessary and may degrade seals. The case is inherently durable; replacement is driven by mechanical failure (cracked shell, failed latches), not chemical degradation.
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 leaching (BPA/phthalates)
Polypropylene copolymer does not contain BPA or phthalates as manufacturing additives. No documented migration of these compounds from PP cases under normal conditions.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Polypropylene does not off-gas formaldehyde or other regulated VOCs. New plastic smell may be present initially but reflects residual monomers, not hazardous outgassing; airing in ventilation resolves this.
Heavy metal leaching from latches/hardware
Stainless steel hardware is chemically stable and does not corrode or leach nickel or chromium under normal indoor storage or transport conditions.
Microplastic shedding or degradation
Long-term UV exposure or mechanical stress can cause surface microcracking in polypropylene. For transport cases stored indoors or used in normal conditions, this risk is minimal; outdoor or marine exposure increases degradation over years.
Foam padding contamination (if present)
The 1650 typically ships with minimal foam or pick-and-pluck foam. If included, industrial-grade foam is not known to leach phthalates or flame retardants into the case contents at room temperature.
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.