Shaw Sports Turf · Artificial Turf
Shaw Philadelphia Performance Turf Free Time 5MM 54731 Indoor Outdoor Artificial Turf Carpet
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 better-graded swap
Multi Sport 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
Polyester/nylon turf with proprietary performance coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Shaw Philadelphia Performance Turf Carpet is made of, ingredients and materials
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.
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
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 ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
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 lower concern 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 is not known about PFAS in this product?
- 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Shaw Philadelphia Performance Turf Free Time 5MM 54731 Indoor Outdoor Artificial 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.