Shaw Sports Turf · Artificial Turf
Shaw Philadelphia Launch 54743 Indoor Outdoor Turf Carpet
High PFAS risk. Avoid until brand discloses treatment chemistry.
Outdoor turf carpets commonly use water-repellent coating and stain-resistant coatings that often contain PFAS. Shaw provides no public disclosure about coating composition.
The better-graded swap
34 Oz Padded Gym Artificial Turf
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
synthetic turf with backing and stain/water treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Shaw Philadelphia Launch 54743 Turf Carpet is made of, ingredients and materials
Shaw Philadelphia Launch 54743 is a synthetic turf carpet, typically polypropylene or polyethylene fibers tufted into a woven or nonwoven backing, with applied stain and water repellent treatments. The backing often contains latex or polyurethane adhesives. Synthetic turf is engineered for durability and drainage, but the water and stain resistance coatings commonly rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or brominated flame retardants to achieve performance specs. These treatments are the primary concern because they do not biodegrade and can migrate, especially in heat or when the carpet degrades.
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.
Flame retardants
Synthetic turf backing and fibers often contain flame retardant additives to meet commercial fire codes. While brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been partially phased out in some regions, phosphate esters and other alternatives are still common. No public information confirms which chemistry Shaw uses for this product; bioaccumulation risk is low for outdoor use but increases if fragments ar
Source, EPA ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from backing adhesives and treatments
Latex and polyurethane backing adhesives, as well as stain/water repellent coatings, can off-gas VOCs during installation and early use, particularly if the product is cut, heated, or installed in enclosed spaces. Typical symptoms include odor and mild respiratory irritation; off-gassing decreases over weeks to months. Indoor installation significantly increases inhalation exposure.
Microplastics
Synthetic turf degrades under UV exposure and mechanical wear, releasing microplastic fibers and backing fragments. For outdoor recreational turf, this is well-documented in published studies. If installed indoors or in high-traffic areas, fragmentation increases; fibers can be inhaled, tracked indoors, or ingested by children and pets. Maintenance (regular vacuuming and rinsing) reduces but does
Source, EPA ↗Phthalates
Polyurethane and latex backings may contain plasticizers or uncrosslinked oligomers that can leach into soil or groundwater, especially in wet environments or if the product is exposed to prolonged moisture. Outdoor use limits human contact, but environmental persistence is a concern for installations near drainage or water systems.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Lead
No specific recalls or published warnings for Shaw Philadelphia Launch turf regarding heavy metal content in dyes or UV stabilizers are on record. Modern polypropylene turf typically uses approved colorants, but verification would require manufacturer disclosure of full additive chemistry, which Shaw has not provided.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Shaw Industries is a large carpet manufacturer with sustainability messaging but has not publicly disclosed PFAS chemistry or phaseout commitments for turf products as of available records. The company markets performance and durability rather than chemical safety transparency. No third-party certifications (such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or Cradle-to-Cradle) have been identified for this specific turf line, which would otherwise signal independent vetting of chemical inputs. Lack of disclosure on water/stain treatment chemistry is a significant red flag for consumer decision-making.
How it compares in its category
Indoor-outdoor synthetic turf is a niche category with limited low-chemical alternatives; most competitors (FieldTurf, Artificial Grass Superstore lines) similarly withhold treatment chemistry. Natural grass, recycled rubber/cork-based alternatives, and untreated synthetic turf exist but trade off durability and maintenance. Shaw's positioning is mid-to-premium durability, but that durability is achieved through chemical coatings whose safety profile is not transparently comparable. Without brand disclosure, individual product comparison is difficult.
If you buy it
Install outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces only; avoid indoor bedrooms, playrooms, or enclosed areas where off-gassing or ground contact accumulation could occur. Do not expose to high heat (e.g., direct sunlight in sealed enclosures, grills nearby) as this can accelerate coating breakdown and chemical release. Rinse and vacuum regularly to remove dust and potential coating particles. Replace if visible deterioration, fraying, or color fading occurs, as breakdown products may be more available for leaching. Before purchase, contact Shaw directly to request PFAS and flame retardant ingredient disclosure; silence after inquiry strengthens the case to choose an alternative.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Shaw Sports Turf has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Shaw Philadelphia Launch 54743 Indoor Outdoor Turf Carpet?
- Polypropylene (PP) astroturf
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- VOC off-gassing from polyurethane or latex adhesive
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
34 Oz Padded Gym Artificial Turf
- polyethylene turf fibers, polypropylene backing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- VOC off-gassing from polyethylene and polypropylene
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- polyethylene/polypropylene synthetic grass fibers with backing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Flame retardants
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore 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.