PG40 Artificial Turf
Synthetic turf backing and adhesives often use PFAS; Sportmaster does not disclose.
PG40 turf composition and waterproofing treatments lack public disclosure from Sportmaster. Synthetic turf backing and adhesives commonly contain PFAS without independent testing available.
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 or polypropylene fibers with unspecified backing/adhesive 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.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from adhesive/backing
Synthetic turf backings and adhesives commonly off-gas in the first weeks to months after installation. Sportmaster's silence on adhesive type makes it impossible to assess VOC load; polyurethane and PVC-based systems carry higher risk than latex, but without disclosure, the grade remains 'possible' rather than established.
Microplastic shedding from fiber wear
PE and PP fibers in artificial turf shed microplastics over time through foot traffic and weather exposure. This is a documented phenomenon in the category and affects all synthetic turf; PG40 offers no material or design features to reduce shedding compared to industry norms.
Degradation of backing/adhesive over time and UV exposure
What’s reassuring
Flame retardants
Many artificial turfs are treated with flame retardants to meet safety codes; Sportmaster does not disclose whether PG40 carries such a treatment, so hazard status cannot be assessed. If present, common flame retardants include halogenated or organophosphate compounds with potential toxicological concerns, but no specific information is available for this product.
Source: EPA ↗Heavy metals
Synthetic turf fibers are often colored with organic or inorganic dyes. No specific testing or disclosure from Sportmaster is on record regarding cadmium, lead, or other heavy metals in PG40 colorants; the industry standard is largely unregulated in this category.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
PG40 uses polyethylene or polypropylene fibers, which are relatively inert plastics and do not leach monomers under normal use conditions. The critical unknown is the backing and adhesive system: synthetic turf backings often use polyurethane, PVC, or latex, each with different chemical profiles. Without specification from Sportmaster, you cannot assess whether the adhesive contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or, critically, PFAS-based stain/water repellents commonly used in turf products for durability.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sportmaster does not publicly disclose material composition, adhesive chemistry, or PFAS use in the PG40 product line. No third-party certifications (such as GreenGuard or OEKO-TEX) are on record for this product. The company's silence on these details is the primary concern; competitors in the artificial turf space increasingly publish full material declarations in response to PFAS scrutiny, and Sportmaster's absence of such transparency suggests either lack of testing or unwillingness to share findings.
How it compares in its category
Artificial turf as a category carries inherent PFAS risk in backing and adhesives, which most manufacturers have not adequately addressed. PG40 occupies the mid-market segment without distinguishing features (no published environmental certifications or PFAS-free claims). Products from manufacturers like Heatherwick or Field Turf that publish detailed material safety data and third-party testing offer greater transparency, though at higher cost. Natural grass or recycled-content alternatives eliminate the PFAS/adhesive concern entirely but require more maintenance.
If you buy it
Request full material specification and adhesive ingredient disclosure from Sportmaster before installation; many suppliers will push back, which is itself a red flag. During installation, ensure adequate ventilation in the work area to minimize inhalation of any adhesive VOCs. Avoid high-temperature applications (e.g., in direct sun reflection from nearby structures) that could degrade the backing and increase particle or chemical release. Plan for replacement within 8-10 years; aging turf shows increased shedding and backing degradation, at which point the adhesive/backing chemicals may mobilize more readily.
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
- Sportmaster 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.