Shaw Sports Turf · Artificial Turf
Shaw Philadelphia Performance Turf Free Time 5MM 54731 Indoor Outdoor Artificial Turf Carpet | 54731
Wait for Shaw to disclose coating chemistry; performance turf often uses PFAS-based finishes.
Shaw's Performance Turf polyester and nylon line claims stain and water resistance but reveals no coating specifics or PFAS status. Artificial turf typically relies on fluorinated treatments without public disclosure.
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
Polyester/nylon turf with proprietary performance 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
Performance coatings on synthetic turf commonly use PFAS for water/stain resistance. Shaw has not disclosed coating chemistry. Given Shaw's 'Poor' PFAS grade and industry standard practice, PFAS presence is probable but unconfirmed.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Polyester and nylon turf fibers shed microplastics during wear, especially once coating integrity degrades. Documented in peer-reviewed studies of synthetic turf wear; accumulates in soil and can enter water systems. Risk increases with foot traffic and age.
Source: EPA ↗Mold and bacterial growth in backing/moisture retention
Synthetic turf backing can retain moisture and harbor mold or bacteria if not adequately drained or dried, particularly in humid or shaded outdoor locations. Health risk is primarily respiratory irritation from mold spores rather than direct chemical hazard.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes and colorfast stability
Shaw does not disclose dye chemistry for this turf. Azo dyes are restricted in EU textiles but less regulated in carpet/turf. No specific recalls or health reports for Shaw turf colorants are on record.
Flame retardants
No public data on flame retardant use in this product. Indoor-outdoor turf may contain flame retardants for fire code compliance, but Shaw has not disclosed this. Not flagged as a health concern in available sources.
Source: EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Shaw Philadelphia Performance Turf is constructed from polyester and nylon fibers with a proprietary performance coating applied to enhance durability, stain resistance, and UV stability for indoor-outdoor use. The coating chemistry is not publicly disclosed by Shaw, which is significant because performance coatings on synthetic turf frequently contain PFAS-based water and stain repellents. The base fibers themselves (polyester/nylon) do not inherently pose chemical leaching risks, but the applied finish is the unknown variable affecting long-term safety.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shaw Industries is a major synthetic turf manufacturer with no publicly available statements on PFAS use in their performance coatings or commitment to PFAS-free formulations. The company has not published testing data, third-party certifications (such as cradle-to-cradle or GreenGuard), or ingredient transparency reports for this product line. This silence on coating chemistry is standard for the industry but represents a gap in consumer safety information.
How it compares in its category
Indoor-outdoor artificial turf typically uses either polyester or nylon with performance finishes; Shaw's offering is mid-to-premium tier with emphasis on durability rather than low-chemical positioning. Some competitors market PFAS-free or eco-certified turf alternatives (e.g., sourcing from manufacturers with published PFAS disclosures), though these are not common. Shaw's lack of transparency places this product in the typical category mainstream rather than a safer segment.
If you buy it
Minimize foot traffic in high-wear areas to slow coating degradation and fiber shedding (both microplastics release and potential leachate exposure from worn coating). Rinse regularly with plain water to remove accumulated dust and mold, especially in humid climates; do not use solvent-based cleaners that can accelerate coating breakdown. Plan for replacement every 5-7 years depending on use intensity; worn turf fibers and exposed backing increase contamination risk. Avoid installation in areas with direct food preparation or where young children mouth surfaces.
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
- Shaw Sports Turf 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.