Artificial Sports Field Turf
Wait for FieldTurf to disclose coating details; artificial turf often contains PFAS water repellents.
FieldTurf's synthetic fiber sports turf features unknown protective coatings and no public PFAS disclosure. Research shows PFAS in some artificial turf products, leaving safety unconfirmed without independent testing.
The safe swap
AstroTurf
SeeGreen 5 ft. W X 7 ft. L Green Polypropylene Astroturf
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/polypropylene fibers with proprietary coatings; infill (typically crumb rubber or sand)
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.
Crumb rubber infill - zinc and PAH leaching
Recycled tire crumb commonly used as infill contains zinc compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that can leach into soil and groundwater during rain. FieldTurf does not specify infill composition in public materials; if crumb rubber is used, this is a significant long-term environmental and potentially health concern for players with skin contact.
Proprietary coating composition unknown
FieldTurf's coatings are proprietary and undisclosed. Industry-wide, artificial turf coatings frequently contain PFAS (fluorinated water repellents) or other volatile organics; without third-party verification, chemical safety cannot be confirmed at installation or over time.
Polymer fiber degradation and microplastic shedding
Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers degrade under UV exposure, mechanical wear (foot traffic, abrasion), and temperature stress. Fragmented plastic particles can accumulate in soil and potentially be inhaled or ingested; no field-specific data for FieldTurf exists, but this is a known risk in synthetic turf systems generally, especially in high-use sports settings.
Heat release and off-gassing during and after installation
Synthetic turf systems can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly during hot weather or initial curing. FieldTurf's proprietary coatings may contribute to this; adequate ventilation during and shortly after installation is important to minimize inhalation exposure.
Heavy metals
Crumb rubber infill can contain cadmium, lead, and other heavy metals from tire manufacturing and additives. FieldTurf does not publicly specify infill metal content; if sand infill is used instead, this hazard is largely avoided, so confirmation of infill type is essential.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
FieldTurf turf uses polyethylene or polypropylene fibers (plastic strands mimicking grass) with proprietary surface coatings designed to improve durability and water drainage. The infill beneath the fibers is typically recycled crumb rubber (from shredded tires) or silica sand, which anchors the turf and provides cushioning. The coating chemistry is the critical unknown here: water-repellent finishes on synthetic turf often contain PFAS compounds to resist rain and maintain performance, but FieldTurf has not publicly disclosed whether their coatings include these chemicals.
The brand's record and disclosure
FieldTurf is a leading artificial turf manufacturer owned by Tarkett, a global flooring company. The brand has not published safety data sheets or public statements addressing PFAS content in their coatings, nor have they obtained third-party certifications (such as GOTS or similar) that would verify absence of fluorinated compounds. No major recalls specific to chemical hazards have been documented, but the lack of transparency on coating composition is a red flag in an industry where PFAS use is common and increasingly questioned.
How it compares in its category
Most artificial turf brands face the same PFAS disclosure gap; FieldTurf is neither notably worse nor better than competitors like AstroTurf or TigerTurf in this regard. Some newer entrants (e.g., smaller eco-focused brands) have begun publishing PFAS-free certifications, making FieldTurf's silence a relative weakness. In terms of infill safety, crumb rubber infill carries well-documented zinc and PAH concerns; sand infill is generally safer but less cushioning for sports.
If you buy it
Request a safety data sheet or coating specification from FieldTurf before installation; if they refuse or provide vague language, that is a warning sign. After installation, maintain proper drainage and inspect infill annually for compaction or degradation, which can concentrate contaminants. Heat management is important for sports surfaces: avoid high-temperature activities that could degrade polymer fibers and release volatile compounds, and replace infill every 7-10 years or when it becomes visibly contaminated or depleted. Ensure adequate ventilation around the field, especially during initial installation when off-gassing may occur.
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
- FieldTurf 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.