RealGrass Premium 15 ft. Wide x Cut to Length Artificial Grass Carpet
Most artificial grass uses PFAS coatings. Brand silent on composition and treatment.
Artificial turf typically requires water and stain-resistance coatings, commonly PFAS-based. RealGrass provides no material or treatment information, making PFAS risk impossible to assess from public sources.
The better-graded swap
AstroTurf
SeeGreen 5 ft. W X 7 ft. L Green Polypropylene Astroturf
75/100 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 with stain/water-resistant treatment
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Artificial grass turf is routinely treated with PFAS compounds (e.g., Teflon-type coating, other fluorinated surfactants) to achieve stain and water resistance. Brand does not disclose treatment chemistry. PFAS leaching risk is elevated if product contacts soil water or if fibers degrade.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microfiber shedding from PE/PP base
Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers can shed when brushed, worn, or exposed to UV over time. Shed microfibers may be inhaled or ingested if product is in high-traffic areas or if used in pet/child zones. No specific shedding rate published for RealGrass Premium.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from adhesives or backing
Synthetic turf backings often use latex or polyurethane adhesives that off-gas formaldehyde, toluene, or other VOCs during installation and early use. RealGrass does not publish off-gassing data. Off-gassing is typically short-lived (weeks to months) but can be notable in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
Degradation and leachate from backing under UV and moisture
Polypropylene backing can degrade under sustained UV and wet conditions, potentially releasing oligomers or residual treatment chemicals. Degradation accelerates in high-heat climates or with poor drainage. Maintenance and replacement schedule directly affect this risk.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or testing results published for RealGrass. Industry standard practice uses colorfast pigments (azo or synthetic dyes), which may contain trace metals; migration risk under normal use is minimal because fibers are not consumed or mouthed.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
RealGrass Premium is polyethylene or polypropylene fiber (the grass blade) tufted into a backing, treated with stain and water repellent coatings. These coatings are the likely source of concern, water-resistant treatments on synthetic turf commonly use PFAS compounds (perfluorinated chemicals) to achieve durability and stain resistance. The base material itself (PE/PP) is stable and does not leach under normal conditions, but degradation from UV exposure or temperature extremes over years can shed microfibers.
The brand's record and disclosure
RealGrass provides no published safety data sheet, third-party certifications (e.g., GreenGuard, standard BS 7837 for synthetic turf safety), or explicit statement on PFAS or other chemical treatments. This silence is typical among budget artificial grass suppliers but limits buyer confidence in formulation choices. No major recalls or public safety incidents are on record for this brand specifically.
How it compares in its category
Artificial grass as a category carries higher PFAS risk than natural turf because water-resistant finishes are integral to performance. Premium brands (e.g., FieldTurf, SynLawn) sometimes publish testing or environmental certifications; RealGrass does not. Price point suggests cost-competitive formulation, which often correlates with less rigorous material sourcing or disclosure. Compared to natural grass, indoor synthetic alternatives, or porous hardscape, this product has documented PFAS exposure potential.
If you buy it
Install over well-draining base to minimize water pooling and leachate contact with soil or groundwater. Avoid high-temperature exposure (direct sunlight in extreme heat, placement near heat sources) to slow fiber degradation. Rinse occasionally with plain water to remove debris; do not use harsh chemicals that may degrade coatings and increase shedding. Replace after 8-10 years or when matting or fiber loss becomes visible, and dispose of properly (not in landfill if possible, as PFAS will persist).
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Realgrass has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded 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.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.