GT48 White Padded Artificial Turf
Adhesive and backing PFAS risk unknown. Insufficient brand transparency.
Artificial turf commonly contains PFAS in adhesives, backing layers, or flame retardants. TigerTurf won't discuss PFAS testing or avoidance, making risk impossible to assess.
The better-graded swap
AstroTurf
SeeGreen 5 ft. W X 7 ft. L Green Polypropylene Astroturf
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 artificial turf with unknown adhesive/backing
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
Undisclosed adhesive chemistry in the backing is a common source of VOC off-gassing in artificial turf. Polyether or polyurethane adhesives used in this category can release formaldehyde, toluene, and other respiratory irritants, especially in warm or poorly ventilated spaces.
Flame retardants
Padded turf backing often includes brominated or phosphorus-based flame retardants to meet fire codes. TigerTurf has not disclosed whether GT48 contains such additives or their chemical class, leaving potential inhalation and dust-contact exposure uncharacterized.
Source, EPA ↗Adhesive degradation and backing delamination over time
Polyethylene turf glued to foam or rubber backing is prone to adhesive failure under thermal cycling, moisture, or foot traffic. When the adhesive breaks down, adhesive residues can become tacky and possibly volatile, and loose backing fragments may shed into dust.
Latex or synthetic rubber backing allergens
Padded backings in artificial turf often use latex or synthetic rubber compounds that can off-gas proteins or chemical additives. If the product uses natural latex (not disclosed), individuals with latex sensitivity could experience contact or inhalation reactions during installation or in warm conditions.
Microplastic shedding from fibers and backing wear
Polyethylene artificial turf is documented to shed microplastic fibers during use, especially with foot traffic or brushing. Fine backing material can also fragment and combine with shed PE fibers, creating dust and potential inhalation exposure in enclosed spaces.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
GT48 is polyethylene (PE) artificial turf with padded backing and an undisclosed adhesive system joining the fibers to the backing layer. Polyethylene itself is chemically stable, but the adhesive and backing coating are the critical unknowns here. These components often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas, especially under heat or UV exposure, and may include flame retardant additives or latex binders whose specific chemistry TigerTurf has not disclosed publicly.
The brand's record and disclosure
TigerTurf maintains public silence on PFAS use in their adhesives and backing materials, and does not publish detailed composition or third-party testing data for the GT48 line. No major recalls or safety controversies are on public record for this specific product. The lack of transparency on adhesive chemistry and flame retardant status is typical for the artificial turf industry but represents a notable gap in consumer information.
How it compares in its category
Padded artificial turf products are designed for indoor/covered use and carry lower fire-code pressure than carpet, so flame retardant loading may be lighter. However, most artificial turf in this category uses similar PE or polypropylene construction with adhesive-bonded backings, and disclosure gaps are industry-wide. Certified alternatives (e.g., products with independent VOC or flame retardant testing) exist but are less common in the budget segment.
If you buy it
Allow 48-72 hours of off-gassing in a well-ventilated space before heavy foot traffic or use in enclosed areas, especially if the room will be heated. Avoid placing over radiant floor heating or in direct sunlight for extended periods, as heat accelerates adhesive volatilization. Clean spills with cool water and mild detergent; hot water may degrade the backing. Replace if backing becomes tacky, crumbly, or develops odor, which signals adhesive breakdown.
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.