Google · Waterproof Personal Electronics Cases
Google USB-C to USB-C Cable
Low risk. Standard cable with no known PFAS-prone materials.
USB-C cables typically use copper, PVC, or TPE jackets without intentional PFAS. Minimal inherent risk category.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Copper conductors, PVC or TPE jacket
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
PVC or TPE jacket degradation with age and mechanical stress
PVC and TPE jackets degrade through normal use and exposure to flexing, UV light, and heat. Cracks expose copper conductors, creating a potential electrical shock hazard if the cable contacts skin or water. Google does not specify expected service life or rate of degradation.
Conductor corrosion if jacket is damaged and cable contacts moisture
Copper conductors can oxidize if the insulating jacket is compromised and the cable is exposed to moisture or humidity. This increases electrical resistance and can generate heat during charging, potentially damaging connected devices.
Counterfeit or substandard copies with unsafe conductors
Google USB-C cables are frequently counterfeited online. Fakes may use undersized or impure copper with inadequate insulation, increasing fire and electrical shock risk. Purchase only from authorized retailers (Google Store, Amazon fulfilled by Amazon, major carriers) to minimize this risk.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No published recalls or testing indicates lead, cadmium, or antimony in Google USB-C cable jackets. Standard PVC and TPE formulations for consumer electronics do not typically include these; regulatory compliance is presumed but not independently verified.
Source, FDA ↗Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from jacket material
PVC and TPE do not off-gas volatile organic compounds under normal room-temperature use. This is not a recognized hazard for cable products unless subjected to high heat or confined spaces.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Google's USB-C cables use copper conductors for electrical conductivity and a PVC or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) outer jacket for insulation and durability. TPE is the more common modern choice for cables because it resists cracking better than PVC in repeated flexing. The jacket material is chemically inert during normal use at room temperature and does not leach into skin or food; the primary failure mode is mechanical wear, not chemical degradation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Google does not publish detailed material safety data sheets for consumer cables, which is typical for the industry. The company has no documented history of cable safety recalls or chemical contamination issues. Google has made modest public commitments to reducing PVC in products, but many cables still use it. No independent testing of this specific cable model for heavy metals or volatile off-gassing has been published.
How it compares in its category
Google cables are mid-tier in the USB-C market, they meet USB-IF electrical standards and have reasonable durability expectations, but are not distinguished by premium materials or third-party sustainability certifications. Budget cables use thinner jackets and copper-alloy conductors with higher resistance. Premium third-party cables sometimes advertise recycled or bio-based jacket materials, but material purity is not meaningfully different for safety purposes.
If you buy it
Inspect the cable jacket regularly for cracks or exposed copper; discard if damage appears. Avoid coiling tightly or leaving under stress for long periods, as this accelerates jacket fatigue. Do not expose to direct heat sources or extreme cold (below 0°C). Replace after 2-3 years of daily use or sooner if the jacket shows wear, as degraded insulation can eventually pose an electrical safety risk.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Google has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.