Shimano · Fishing Line
PowerPro Power Pro Braided Line
Lower PFAS concern for braided fishing line; no coating treatment typical for this category.
Shimano PowerPro is a braided fishing line made primarily from polyethylene or nylon fibers. Braided fishing lines typically lack the water-resistant or non-stick coatings that commonly contain PFAS, making this product a lower-concern category. Shimano makes no PFAS claims either way, which is standard for fishing tackle.
Shop Shimano on Amazon →Material
Braided polyethylene/nylon fishing line
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
PowerPro Braided Line is constructed from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers woven together, sometimes with nylon reinforcement in blends. UHMWPE is inherently stable and does not leach known toxic monomers or plasticizers during normal use. Braided construction means no coating layer (unlike monofilament lines treated with polymers), eliminating concerns about coating degradation or fume release. This material class is considered inert in freshwater and saltwater fishing applications.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shimano is a major Japanese fishing tackle manufacturer with no public product safety recalls or documented chemical disclosure violations in the fishing line category. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS use or absence in fishing products, maintaining industry-standard silence on this topic. No third-party testing or certification (e.g., Oeko-Tex) is listed for this line. Shimano's overall corporate environmental communications focus on manufacturing efficiency rather than product chemical transparency.
How it compares in its category
Braided polyethylene lines are the category standard for strength and durability and carry the same material safety profile across brands (Berkley, Power Pro, Sufix). Unlike monofilament alternatives (nylon), braided lines avoid concerns about slow nylon degradation or UV-induced brittleness. Versus fluorocarbon lines, braided eliminates concerns about fluorine-based polymer residues. Within braided offerings, PowerPro is mid-to-premium positioned with no known quality or safety differentiation from competitors.
If you buy it
Store spools in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to slow minor UV degradation of polyethylene fibers, though this is not a health hazard. Replace line annually or after visible fraying, color fading, or loss of casting distance. Do not heat or melt line (e.g., to seal ends) as polyethylene releases fumes above 350°C; use proper knots or fishing line sealant instead. No special disposal precautions exist beyond standard recycling guidance for plastic waste.
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.”
Microplastic shedding during use
Braided line abrasion against rod guides and during casting may release microfibers of polyethylene into waterways. This is a property of all braided synthetic lines, not specific to Shimano, but environmental persistence and aquatic bioaccumulation remain active areas of study.
Thermal fume release (misuse)
If user attempts to melt or heat line to seal ends, polyethylene releases irritant fumes and potential thermal oxidation byproducts. This is a misuse hazard, not a normal-use hazard, but worth stating given accessibility of heat sources.
Heavy metal contamination in dyes
PowerPro Braided Line is typically dyed with colorants (green, yellow, red variants). No recalls or test reports document heavy metal (lead, cadmium, arsenic) contamination in fishing line dyes; this hazard is primarily documented in textiles and ceramics, not cast polyethylene products.
Nylon degradation products (if nylon-blended)
Some Shimano braided blends include nylon fibers. Nylon slowly hydrolyzes in saltwater over years, potentially releasing trace caprolactam monomer. Exposure is dermal and minimal during normal use, but long-term water exposure in stored spools could theoretically increase this. Standard braided polyethylene alone avoids this.
Ingestion/choking hazard (non-chemical)
Braided line fragments pose a risk to pets and wildlife if discarded improperly. This is a physical hazard, not chemical, but worth noting for responsible disposal and casting near inhabited areas.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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 Fishing Line
Stren
Original
Monofilament nylon fishing line
Lower PFAS concern for a fishing line product; no coating or treatment typical of PFAS carriers.
⚠Risky category by default
Maxima
Ultragreen One Shot
Lubricant/chain oil (mineral or synthetic base)
Lower PFAS concern for a chain lubricant; minimal Teflon-family coating/waterproofing risk profile.
⚠Risky category by default
Seaguar
Blue Label
Fluorocarbon fishing line (monofilament)
Fluorocarbon fishing line may contain PFAS; insufficient public data to grade definitively.
⚠Risky category by default
More fishing line 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.