Pelican · Waterproof Personal Electronics
Pelican Protector Watertight Equipment Case - 10.6" x 9.7" x 4.9" - Yellow
Waterproof equipment case with unspecified sealing treatment. Request PFAS details.
Pelican cases are engineered for waterproofing but material composition and sealant types are not publicly disclosed. Waterproof gaskets and seals may contain PFAS; direct brand inquiry recommended.
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Material
Polycarbonate resin shell, unspecified waterproof seal/gasket
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
The Pelican Protector case uses polycarbonate resin for the shell, a rigid engineering plastic widely used in protective equipment cases. Polycarbonate itself does not leach BPA under normal storage conditions (it is BPA-free as manufactured), and does not off-gas volatile compounds at room temperature. The critical unknown is the waterproof seal and gasket material, which manufacturers often treat with fluorinated compounds for water repellency; this is where PFAS contamination risk concentrates.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican Products is a major manufacturer with long-standing reputation for equipment durability but has not publicly disclosed PFAS-free or PFAS-tested certifications for consumer cases. The company has not faced widely documented recalls or safety controversies related to leaching or off-gassing from polycarbonate cases. However, silence on sealing material composition is typical industry practice and represents a disclosure gap rather than evidence of hazard.
How it compares in its category
Polycarbonate protective cases are standard in the equipment storage category and represent a middle ground between rigid plastic (lower leaching risk) and fabric-lined alternatives (lower PFAS risk in seals). Hard-shell polycarbonate cases generally outperform soft polymer cases in chemical stability during long-term static storage. Competitor cases (e.g., Pelican Storm, SKB, Nanuk) use similar polycarbonate shells with comparable seal unknowns.
If you buy it
Store non-food items only; polycarbonate cases are designed for equipment, tools, and electronics, not food contact. Avoid prolonged exposure to high heat (above 60°C/140°F) or direct sunlight for extended periods, as this accelerates any potential polymer stress. Inspect the rubber gasket annually for cracking or degradation; replace if visibly deteriorated. Contact Pelican directly to request specification sheets for the waterproof seal material if PFAS status matters to your use case.
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.”
Polycarbonate chemical stability
Polycarbonate does not leach BPA or phthalates under normal storage conditions (room temperature, non-food use). No recalls or reports of leaching from Pelican polycarbonate cases are on record.
Volatile organic compounds off-gassing
Polycarbonate cases do not emit formaldehyde or significant VOCs at ambient temperature. New case may have minimal odor from manufacturing residues, which dissipates quickly; not a health concern in typical use.
Waterproof seal/gasket material composition
Waterproof seals in equipment cases are frequently treated with PFAS compounds (Teflon-family coating) to achieve water repellency. Pelican does not publicly disclose seal material; PFAS status remains unspecified and requires direct inquiry.
Polycarbonate impact degradation
Polycarbonate is impact-resistant and does not shatter into microplastics with normal use. Cases are designed to withstand repeated drops; degradation from impact is mechanical (cracks), not chemical leaching.
Thermal stress to shell or seals
Polycarbonate softens above 110°C and gasket materials may degrade in prolonged heat. Not a concern for indoor storage but relevant if case is left in direct sun or hot vehicle for extended periods.
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.
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✓Naturally PFAS-free material
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More waterproof personal electronics 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.