DuraGrass Artificial Grass Lawn Repair
Wait for Tarkett to disclose coating composition and PFAS status.
Artificial grass typically uses water-resistant treatments. Tarkett provides no public disclosure of PFAS use or absence.
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 with unspecified water-resistant backing/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.
Microplastic shedding from fiber degradation
PE and PP fibers degrade under UV and foot traffic, releasing particles into soil and stormwater. No field studies specific to DuraGrass exist, but this is a documented issue across all polyolefin turf. Shedding increases with product age and mechanical wear.
Uncharacterized backing coatings and water-resistant additives
Tarkett has not disclosed whether the backing contains phthalates, polyurethane (potential allergen and off-gassing source), or other synthetic polymers. Water-resistant coatings in this product category frequently contain PFAS or volatile organic compounds; absence of disclosure suggests potential exposure.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing during installation or heat exposure
Polyurethane or vinyl-based backings and adhesives in artificial turf can release VOCs, particularly in warm conditions. DuraGrass product data does not address off-gassing profiles; installation in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces warrants ventilation precautions.
What’s reassuring
Flame retardants
No public data confirm the presence of added flame retardants or antimicrobials in DuraGrass. Some artificial turf products do incorporate these; Tarkett's silence makes status unknown and warrants direct inquiry if this is a concern.
Source: EPA ↗Heavy metals
DuraGrass is marketed as repair, not full-field installation, and composition of any recommended infill is not specified. If infill is required, separately verify that crumb rubber or sand infill does not exceed cadmium or lead thresholds, particularly if installed near children's play zones.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
DuraGrass is polyethylene or polypropylene pile fiber bonded to an unspecified water-resistant backing or coating. The backing composition is the critical unknown: water resistance in artificial turf is typically achieved via polyurethane, PVC, or synthetic rubber compounds, some of which are known vehicles for PFAS or plasticizers. Without disclosure, you cannot verify whether the backing contains phthalates, flame retardants, or persistent chemicals. The base polymer (PE/PP) itself is relatively inert, but degradation and fiber shedding under UV and foot traffic release microplastics into soil and runoff.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tarkett, a major flooring and turf manufacturer, has not publicly disclosed the composition or PFAS status of DuraGrass coatings. The company has faced no major recalls specific to this product in public databases, but the absence of transparency on synthetic backing chemistry is a red flag in an industry where manufacturers increasingly face scrutiny over PFAS in water-resistant adhesives and membranes. Tarkett's general sustainability statements do not address microplastic leakage or persistent chemical use in artificial turf lines.
How it compares in its category
Artificial turf as a category universally sheds microplastics and typically relies on water-resistant backings; DuraGrass is not unique in these risks, but it is notably behind competitors (such as some products from Shaw and Mohawk) that have begun disclosing backing materials and committing to PFAS-free formulations. Most artificial turf marketed for residential repair lacks third-party certification for chemical safety, making Tarkett's silence typical but not reassuring. Natural grass or certified low-chemical alternatives remain safer long-term choices.
If you buy it
Install over a permeable base (sand or gravel without synthetic underlayment if possible) to minimize microplastic percolation into groundwater. Keep it away from children's frequent contact zones and drinking-water collection areas. Inspect the backing annually for degradation, tears, or UV damage, which accelerate fiber and coating shedding; replace within 8-10 years or sooner if visibly worn. Rinse with plain water only; avoid high-heat equipment (pressure washers above 180F) and chemical treatments that may mobilize coating compounds.
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
- Tarkett 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.