Google · Waterproof Phone Chargers & Cable Cases
Google Pixel/ Pixel XL 2 3 Type C USB-C to USB-C USB Data Cable
Lower concern; standard USB cable with no known PFAS triggers.
USB-C cables typically use PVC or TPE jackets without Teflon-family coating coatings. Google does not claim PFAS-free status. No public lab data or recalls identified.
Shop Google on Amazon →Material
PVC or TPE cable jacket, copper wire
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
Google's Pixel USB-C cables use either PVC or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) jacket material over copper wire conductors. PVC is a legacy polymer choice that can release plasticizers under heat stress; TPE is more flexible and generally considered safer for repeated flexing. Neither material is known to leach heavy metals or problematic chemicals under normal ambient use conditions typical of a charging cable.
The brand's record and disclosure
Google has not published detailed material safety data sheets or chemical disclosures specific to Pixel cable formulations. The company maintains general sustainability commitments but does not advertise third-party safety certifications (RoHS, phthalate testing) for this accessory category. No consumer safety recalls or chemical contamination incidents have been reported for Pixel cables.
How it compares in its category
USB-C charging cables are low-complexity products with minimal chemical exposure vectors compared to cookware, cosmetics, or textiles. This cable sits in the mainstream commercial tier: functionally equivalent to third-party alternatives (Anker, Belkin) that likewise do not disclose detailed polymer composition. Proprietary Google branding does not confer measurably higher safety assurance than certified competitors.
If you buy it
Keep the cable away from sustained heat sources above 60 degrees Celsius (high ambient temperature, direct sunlight in cars) to minimize any plasticizer migration from the jacket. Avoid sharp bends and kinks that accelerate degradation of the outer sheath; replace if insulation cracks, frays, or exposes wire. Uncoil the cable when not in use to prevent permanent deformation and stress points.
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.”
Plasticizer leaching from PVC jacket
If cable uses PVC formulation, phthalates or other plasticizers are theoretically mobilizable under sustained heat. Charging generates minor warmth; direct skin contact is minimal and intermittent, lowering practical exposure risk.
Insulation degradation and wire exposure
Long-term flexing and UV exposure can crack or fray the cable jacket, creating electrical shock or short-circuit hazards. This is a mechanical durability issue, not a chemical one, but is noted as common wear pattern for all USB cables.
Microplastic shedding
No documented evidence that PVC or TPE cable jackets shed microplastics during normal use. Degradation typically results in visible cracking rather than particulate release.
Heavy metal contamination in copper core or connectors
Copper wire and USB-C connector metals are not known sources of lead, cadmium, or other toxic metals in mainstream cable manufacturing. No recalls or test failures reported for Google Pixel cables.
Electromagnetic interference or signal contamination
This is an electrical performance issue, not a chemical safety hazard. Google's cables meet USB-C certification standards and pose no known toxicological risk.
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 Waterproof Phone Chargers & Cable Cases
Nomad
Universal Cable
Braided nylon and metal connectors
Lower concern. Nylon cable has minimal PFAS risk.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
More waterproof phone chargers & cable 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.