Pelican · Waterproof Electronics Cases
Pelican Ranger iPhone 16 Pro
Limited public PFAS data on case. Contact Pelican for waterproofing details.
Pelican cases use proprietary sealing and gaskets for waterproofing but do not publicly disclose PFAS use or absence. Waterproof coatings sometimes contain PFAS; verification requires direct brand inquiry.
The safe swap
Mous
Mous MagSafe Compatible Aramid Fibre Phone Case
85/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polycarbonate shell, likely with water/dust-resistant sealing
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 Ranger iPhone 16 Pro uses polycarbonate (PC), a rigid engineering plastic chosen for drop protection and clarity. Polycarbonate itself does not leach BPA during normal use at room temperature, though older PC formulations may contain trace BPA as a residual monomer. The sealing adhesives and water-resistant gaskets are the actual chemical wildcard; their composition is not publicly detailed by Pelican.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican is a long-established protective equipment manufacturer with no public health controversies or recalls tied to chemical leaching from phone cases. The company does not openly disclose material sourcing, chemical composition, or third-party testing for consumer cases. Their water-resistance claims rely on mechanical sealing design rather than public certification (e.g., no IEC 60529 rating statement found).
How it compares in its category
Rigid polycarbonate cases are the mainstream choice for protective phone accessories and carry minimal documented chemical risk compared to soft TPU or vinyl alternatives, which can off-gas plasticizers. Pelican's brand heritage in military and industrial protection gives it higher assumed quality control than budget or novelty cases. Most competitors in this price tier use identical PC and similar sealed gasket designs without disclosure.
If you buy it
Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources above 60 degrees Celsius to avoid any minor stress-cracking of PC over years. The sealing gaskets should remain effective indefinitely if kept dry; no routine maintenance is needed. If water intrusion occurs, discontinue use and dry thoroughly. Replace if cracks appear, as they compromise both drop protection and water resistance.
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.”
BPA residual monomer leaching
Polycarbonate cases do not typically leach BPA into food or skin during normal handling. Risk would be negligible even if trace BPA exists in the raw material, as the case does not contact mucous membranes or food.
Waterproofing adhesive/gasket leachables
Pelican does not publicly specify the chemical composition of sealing gaskets or bonding adhesives. Common sealants may contain residual solvents or siloxanes, but no established recalls or complaints document leaching into skin or phone internals.
Polycarbonate UV degradation and microplastics
Extended outdoor UV exposure can cause PC to become brittle and microscopic fragments may shed; this is mechanical degradation rather than a chemical release risk and is typical for all PC cases.
Flame retardant additives in polycarbonate
High-impact polycarbonate may contain flame retardant additives (phosphorus or halogenated compounds) to meet standards. No public data suggests these leach during phone case use, which involves no heating or food contact.
Off-gassing from printing/labeling inks
Printed logos or labels on the case may contain organic solvents that off-gas, but exposure is minimal and dissipates quickly. No specific reports tie Pelican cases to solvent odor complaints.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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 Electronics Cases
Mous
MagSafe Compatible Aramid Fibre Phone Case
Aramid fiber (Kevlar-type synthetic polymer)
Lower concern; aramid is inherently PFAS-free but verify final coating.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Pelican
Shield Carbon Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S24
Polycarbonate shell, foam padding
Lower concern; typical phone case materials rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Amazon Basics
Clear Soft Tpu Smartphone Cover For Iphone 2021
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
Lower concern. TPU phone cases rarely use PFAS, but Amazon discloses nothing.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof electronics 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.