GT48 Gray Padded Artificial Turf
Synthetic turf backing composition unknown, no PFAS disclosure available.
TigerTurf keeps PFAS and chemical content private for this product. Artificial turf backings often hide adhesives and coatings that may include PFAS, leaving risk unassessed.
The better-graded swap
LITA
LITA Greenfield Artificial Grass Turf Cut to Length 0.7in Pile Height Rubber
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
polyethylene or polypropylene backing, synthetic fibers, adhesive composition undisclosed
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
Unknown / proprietary coating
A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from adhesive and backing
Synthetic turf adhesives and polyethylene/polypropylene backing commonly release formaldehyde, toluene, and other VOCs during cure and early use. TigerTurf provides no off-gassing data; typical padded turf products show elevated VOC levels in first weeks post-installation.
Flame retardants
Synthetic fibers and padding may contain flame-retardant chemicals (brominated or chlorinated compounds, antimony) to meet flammability standards, but TigerTurf does not specify. Industry standard practice but not disclosed here, making individual product hazard assessment impossible.
Source, EPA ↗Coating degradation and microplastic shedding over time
Synthetic turf fibers naturally shed microplastics, especially under foot traffic or UV exposure. Padded turf with adhesive-bonded backing can accelerate fiber separation as adhesive degrades; no TigerTurf-specific data available but typical for this product class.
Moisture retention and mold/bacterial growth in padding
Padded turf backing can retain moisture if not properly drained, creating conditions for mold, mildew, or bacterial colonization, especially in humid climates. No maintenance guidance is provided by TigerTurf, increasing this risk in poor-drainage installations.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No publicly available testing or recalls cite lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in TigerTurf GT48 fibers. Standard polyethylene/polypropylene fiber dyes are typically heavy-metal-free but cannot be verified without manufacturer testing.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
GT48 uses polyethylene or polypropylene synthetic fibers over a backing (composition undisclosed) bonded with adhesive of unknown formulation. This construction is standard for padded artificial turf but creates multiple potential off-gassing pathways, the fibers themselves, the backing material, and especially the adhesive layer can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing, installation, and early use. The padding and adhesive are the highest-risk components for chemical leaching, particularly in warm or humid conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
TigerTurf has published no publicly available safety data sheet, material transparency statement, or third-party certifications (e.g., GreenGuard, FloorScore) for this product. The brand does not disclose adhesive composition or backing material specifics, which is standard practice for many synthetic turf manufacturers but limits independent hazard assessment. No major recalls or safety violations are on record for TigerTurf products, but the silence on chemical composition reflects an industry norm rather than reassurance.
How it compares in its category
Padded artificial turf sits at the higher end of off-gassing risk compared to non-adhesive modular turf or natural grass. Many competitors (e.g., FieldTurf, Mondo) offer certified low-VOC or third-party-tested products; TigerTurf does not advertise equivalent certifications for GT48. Budget synthetic turfs typically trade chemical disclosure for lower cost, making GT48 typical of its market segment but not a leader in transparency or documented safety testing.
If you buy it
Install in a well-ventilated space and allow 48-72 hours of air circulation before heavy use to minimize VOC inhalation. Avoid placement in direct sun or heat sources (>50°C ambient) as polymer backing and adhesive can off-gas more aggressively when warm. Inspect annually for adhesive degradation, cracking fibers, or visible moisture retention; replace if backing separates or fibers shed excessively. Not recommended for enclosed spaces without mechanical ventilation or for children's play areas without off-site testing of VOC emissions.
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
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded 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.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.