Artificial Landscaping Turf 15ft Wide $2.89/sqft Artificial Turf
Wait for brand to disclose coating chemistry; artificial turf routinely uses PFAS for durability.
Artificial turf typically receives water-repellent coating and stain-resistant treatments for weather resistance. This product's coating remains undisclosed, and industry-standard finishes frequently contain PFAS compounds.
The safe swap
AstroTurf
LITA ECO Ultra Thick Cut to Length
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyethylene or polypropylene base with unknown water-repellent coating/stain-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Coating chemistry is undisclosed; PFAS use in artificial turf water-repellent coating applications is industry standard and documented in peer-reviewed studies, but this specific product's formulation is unknown. Graded separately as PFAS (40/100 safety).
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding during use and maintenance
Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers fragment with foot traffic, abrasion, and UV exposure, contributing to environmental microplastic pollution. Risk to humans from inhalation or ingestion is low during typical residential use but elevated for athletes and maintenance workers with prolonged contact.
Infill material contamination (if included or recommended)
If product is sold with or requires recycled tire crumb infill, that material may contain zinc, cadmium, and PAHs leached by moisture and heat. No infill composition is specified in the product listing; confirm with retailer.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing during installation
Polyolefin backing and adhesives used in turf installation can release low levels of VOCs, particularly in warm weather. Off-gassing is typically short-lived (days to weeks) but may be relevant for indoor or semi-enclosed applications.
What’s reassuring
Leachables from backing adhesive or polymer additives
Polyethylene and polypropylene are inherently low-leach, but backing adhesives and UV/thermal stabilizer additives in the polymer matrix are not specified. No specific leaching data or complaints are on record for AstroTurf products, but this material class is not extensively tested for potable water contact.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
AstroTurf artificial turf is a polyethylene or polypropylene (polyolefin) pile fabric backing, which is chemically stable and does not leach monomers under normal use. The critical unknown is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) and stain-resistant coating applied to the fibers, which in the artificial turf industry commonly contains PFAS chemicals to resist water and dirt penetration. The backing layer and any infill material (sand, rubber crumb, or polyurethane) are separate contamination vectors not addressed in the base material spec.
The brand's record and disclosure
AstroTurf has not publicly disclosed the specific chemistry of its water-repellent coating or stain-resistant coatings on this product, and the company has maintained silence on PFAS use despite industry-wide scrutiny since the mid-2010s. No independent certification bodies (such as Oeko-Tex, NSF, or GreenGuard) are listed in available marketing for this turf. The brand's lack of transparency on coating chemistry is a red flag in a product category where PFAS use is documented as routine.
How it compares in its category
Artificial turf as a category has become a focal point for PFAS contamination concern, particularly in sports fields and residential installations where runoff enters soil and groundwater. Competitors marketing PFAS-free alternatives (e.g., some brands using silicone-based water repellents or ceramic coatings) exist but remain niche and higher-cost. AstroTurf's silence on coating chemistry places it in the middle-to-lower transparency bracket of major manufacturers; the $2.89/sqft price point suggests no premium for low-chemical or certified formulations.
If you buy it
Request the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and technical specification from the retailer or AstroTurf directly before installation to confirm water-repellent coating/coating composition and PFAS status. Avoid installation in areas with direct drainage to groundwater or natural water bodies if PFAS is confirmed or undisclosed. Inspect infill materials (if separate) for rubber crumb quality, as recycled tire crumb can contain heavy metals and volatile compounds. Rinse and brush regularly to minimize fiber shedding and microplastic mobilization, and plan replacement every 8-15 years depending on foot traffic.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- AstroTurf has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Artificial Turf
AstroTurf
SeeGreen 5 ft. W X 7 ft. L Green Polypropylene Astroturf
Polypropylene (PP) astroturf
VOC off-gassing from polyurethane or latex adhesive
Limited concern
Polypropylene UV degradation and microplastic shedding
High concern
Backing adhesive failure and fiber separation
Moderate concern
Infill contamination (if rubber granules used)
Limited concern
Lower concern; polypropylene rarely requires PFAS, but no brand disclosure on treatments.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
AstroTurf
LITA ECO Ultra Thick Cut to Length
Synthetic turf fibers (polyethylene/polypropylene backing)
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from fibers
Moderate concern
Leaching from backing polymers or adhesives
Limited concern
Infill contamination (if sand or crumb used)
Limited concern
Wait for brand to disclose turf composition; synthetic turf historically may use PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Sportmaster
Multi Sport Turf
synthetic turf (polyethylene/polypropylene fibers, infill material unspecified)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Undisclosed infill composition and leachates
Moderate concern
Fiber degradation and microplastic generation
Limited concern
Volatile organic compound off-gassing during installation
Limited concern
Insufficient brand disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
More artificial turf 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.