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PFAS in Artificial Turf: Which Brands Grade Best and Worst

Artificial turf has become a popular choice for homeowners, schools, and sports facilities—but emerging evidence suggests that many synthetic grass products may contain or leach per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called "forever chemicals." Based on available materials and public disclosure data, Perspersil Sorbus Artificial Grass Tiles and related mid-tier brands achieve a grade C (75/100 safety) rating in our model-based estimate, indicating lower concern relative to F-rated competitors. In contrast, FieldTurf TrafficMaster Emerald Green Precut Turf and other professional-grade turf products receive a concerning grade F (40/100 safety), reflecting limited transparency and potential higher-risk formulations.

This buyer's guide evaluates artificial turf products across PFAS presence, brand transparency, and material composition. Our grading reflects a model-based assessment from materials and public disclosure—these are estimates, not lab-test certainties. If you're installing turf indoors or where children play, understanding these distinctions matters: the gap between a C-grade and F-grade product represents meaningful differences in disclosed ingredients and third-party scrutiny.

Product	Brand	PFAS Grade	Safety Score	Verdict
Perspersil Sorbus Artificial Grass Tiles	Perspersil	C	75/100	Lower concern; better transparency
Mohawk Industries WOW Pioneer Realistic Artificial Grass Rug	Mohawk Industries	C	75/100	Mid-tier; moderate disclosure
AstroTurf SeeGreen 5 ft. W X 7 ft. L	AstroTurf	C	75/100	Established brand; limited PFAS data
Landscape Supply Greatmats Platinum Landscape Turf	Landscape Supply	C	75/100	Budget-friendly; standard composition
FieldTurf TrafficMaster Emerald Green Precut Turf	FieldTurf/TrafficMaster	F	40/100	Avoid; poor transparency, potential PFAS risk
Shaw Sports Turf Philadelphia Performance Turf Free Time	Shaw Sports Turf	F	40/100	Avoid; professional-grade with limited disclosure
FieldTurf Artificial Sports Field Turf	FieldTurf	F	40/100	Avoid; commercial use; high PFAS concern

Why PFAS in Artificial Turf Matters

Artificial turf is manufactured from synthetic polymers, adhesives, and coatings—many of which historically contained PFAS compounds for water and stain resistance. When installed outdoors, turf fibers can degrade, leach into soil and groundwater, and accumulate in the body over time. While association with PFAS exposure is not causation of specific health outcomes, regulatory bodies including the EPA and California Department of Toxic Substances Control have flagged PFAS as persistent bioaccumulative toxins warranting precaution. Artificial turf has emerged as a significant pathway of PFAS exposure, particularly in schools and athletic facilities where children spend prolonged time on the surface.

Our grading approach evaluates three factors: (1) brand disclosure of PFAS-free or low-PFAS formulations, (2) material composition transparency, and (3) third-party certifications or testing. C-grade products show moderate transparency and lower-risk material profiles. F-grade products lack disclosure and rely on legacy formulations known to carry higher PFAS loads.

C-Grade Artificial Turf: Lower-Concern Options

Perspersil Sorbus and Variants

Perspersil Sorbus Artificial Grass Tiles and the related 48 Sq. Ft. Interlocking variant achieve a grade C (75/100 safety) rating based on available materials. These products are marketed for residential use and feature polypropylene fiber construction. Perspersil's brand claims emphasize UV resistance and durability, but the company has not published third-party lab results specifically testing for PFAS absence. The interlocking tile format reduces seaming and adhesive use—a structural advantage that lowers potential PFAS pathways compared to roll-format turf that relies on perimeter glues.

Pros: Modular design minimizes adhesive exposure; polypropylene is a lower-fluorine polymer class; residential-scale product with less intensive manufacturing than commercial sports turf. Cons: No independent PFAS testing disclosed; brand-stated claims are not third-party verified; interlocking seams may trap dirt and microplastics.

Mohawk Industries WOW Pioneer and Landscape Supply Brands

Mohawk Industries WOW Pioneer Realistic Artificial Grass Rug and Landscape Supply Greatmats Platinum Landscape Turf both receive a C grade. Mohawk is an established flooring manufacturer with some capacity for material oversight, though the company has not published PFAS-specific testing. Landscape Supply's Greatmats line targets budget-conscious homeowners and uses standard polypropylene or polyethylene fiber with latex backing. These mid-market products typically avoid legacy fluoropolymer coatings but offer limited transparency on whether secondary ingredients (dyes, UV stabilizers, flame retardants) contain PFAS.

Pros: Established brands with manufacturing standards; affordable entry point; polypropylene/polyethylene base materials are inherently lower-fluorine. Cons: No third-party PFAS testing published; flame retardants and dyes may contain hidden PFAS; maintenance and cleaning products can introduce additional PFAS.

AstroTurf and Other Established Brands

AstroTurf SeeGreen 5 ft. W X 7 ft. L and the LITA ECO Ultra Thick variant carry a C grade. AstroTurf is a heritage brand dating to the 1960s, though modern formulations are distinct from vintage products (which frequently contained PFAS-laden adhesives). Current AstroTurf residential lines use polypropylene fiber and do not advertise fluoropolymer coatings, suggesting lower inherent PFAS risk. However, the brand has not commissioned independent PFAS testing or published results in peer-reviewed sources.

Pros: Brand longevity and brand awareness; residential products distinguish themselves from professional-grade variants; polypropylene construction. Cons: Legacy association with PFAS-heavy formulations; no recent third-party verification; limited eco-credential documentation.

F-Grade Artificial Turf: Products to Avoid

FieldTurf TrafficMaster Series

FieldTurf TrafficMaster Emerald Green Precut Turf and FieldTurf TrafficMaster Landscape Turf 7.5 ft. both receive an F grade (40/100 safety). These products are part of a commercial-oriented line used in schools, parks, and athletic facilities. TrafficMaster turf is engineered for high-traffic durability and typically relies on polyurethane and rubber-modified base layers with heavy adhesive systems. FieldTurf has not published PFAS test results, and industry research suggests commercial-grade turf from this era contains PFAS-laden backing compounds and seam sealants. The company markets durability rather than environmental safety, and available product documentation does not address PFAS composition.

Pros: Extremely durable for high-traffic applications; established in school and municipal procurement. Cons: Poor transparency on PFAS presence; commercial-grade adhesives and backings are historically high-PFAS; no third-party testing disclosed; widely installed in schools where children have extended contact.

Shaw Sports Turf Philadelphia Performance Turf

Shaw Sports Turf Philadelphia Performance Turf Free Time 5MM scores an F grade (40/100 safety). Shaw is a carpet and turf manufacturer owned by Berkshire Hathaway, with significant commercial turf presence in North American stadiums and schools. This product line uses a 5mm pile height and polyurethane-based backing system, typical of professional sports installations. Shaw's product documentation emphasizes performance specifications (wear, tear, UV) but does not address PFAS composition. Third-party research on commercial sports turf suggests products in this category frequently contain PFAS in backing adhesives, seam tape, and flame retardant coatings. Shaw has not published independent PFAS testing results.

Pros: Professional-grade durability; established supply chain; used in visible, high-profile installations. Cons: Significant PFAS risk implied by material composition and lack of disclosure; polyurethane backing systems historically contain PFAS; installed in schools and venues with high child exposure; no independent testing available.

FieldTurf Artificial Sports Field Turf (Professional Grade)

FieldTurf Artificial Sports Field Turf is the company's flagship commercial product, receiving an F grade (40/100 safety). This is a modular turf system used in professional and collegiate athletics, with heavy rubber crumb infill and polyurethane binders. The product is engineered for impact absorption and drainage, requiring complex adhesive and binder chemistry. FieldTurf markets the product as "high-performance" and has not disclosed PFAS testing. Industry assessments of similar systems have identified PFAS in rubber infill, backing compounds, and adhesive layers. The product's commercial positioning and lack of safety transparency place it in the highest-concern category.

Pros: Unmatched durability and athletic performance; widespread professional acceptance. Cons: Highest PFAS concern in this comparison; rubber crumb infill is a known PFAS vector; polyurethane systems contain legacy PFAS compounds; used in youth sports facilities; no third-party PFAS testing published; difficult to remediate if contamination is discovered.

What to Avoid: Key Risk Factors

• Rubber Crumb Infill: Recycled tire rubber used to cushion artificial turf frequently contains PFAS from manufacturing and vulcanization. Products marketed with "performance" or "athletic" positioning tend to rely heavily on rubber infill systems.
• Polyurethane Backing and Adhesives: Professional-grade turf uses polyurethane binders and seam sealants, which historically contained PFAS for water resistance. Products from FieldTurf, Shaw Sports Turf, and similar commercial suppliers typically use these systems without PFAS-free alternatives.
• Lack of Transparency: Brands that do not publish material safety data sheets (MSDS), flame retardant disclosures, or PFAS testing results should be treated as higher-risk. F-grade products in this category uniformly lack public PFAS documentation.
• Fluoropolymer Coatings: Older turf products and some current "premium" lines use PTFE or fluorinated coating systems for stain resistance. Ask manufacturers directly whether their products contain fluoropolymer coatings or fluorinated flame retardants.
• Installation Scale: Commercial installations (schools, municipal fields) are higher-concern than residential use because of sealing area, frequency of maintenance, and potential groundwater contamination. If specifying turf for a school, prioritize C-grade products and demand PFAS testing.

Our Pick: Best Available Option

Based on available materials and data, Perspersil Sorbus Artificial Grass Tiles (grade C, 75/100 safety) represents a lower-concern choice for residential applications. The modular tile design minimizes adhesive pathways, the polypropylene fiber base avoids legacy fluoropolymer systems, and the product targets homeowner use rather than high-traffic commercial settings. Perspersil has not published third-party PFAS testing, so our grade C reflects model-based assessment from disclosed materials—not lab certainty. Installation best practices should include adequate drainage, regular cleaning with non-PFAS maintenance products, and monitoring for signs of degradation or leaching.

For commercial or school installations, no F-grade products should be selected. Among C-grade options, Landscape Supply Greatmats Platinum Landscape Turf offers an affordable lower-concern alternative with standard polypropylene composition. Institutional buyers should condition procurement on manufacturer PFAS testing and written confirmation that fluoropolymer coatings and PFAS-laden adhesives are not used. If such documentation cannot be obtained, consider natural grass or hybrid turf systems as alternatives.

Maintenance and Mitigation Strategies

Even lower-concern artificial turf can potentially release PFAS over time. To mitigate exposure:

• Install perimeter drainage systems to prevent PFAS migration into groundwater or soil.
• Use only PFAS-free cleaning products; verify that deck sealers and protective coatings do not contain fluorinated compounds.
• Monitor turf condition and replace sections showing fiber degradation or backing separation.
• For schools and public facilities, consider periodic soil and water testing near turf installations to detect PFAS accumulation.
• Discourage intensive foot traffic during initial 12–24 months post-installation, when microplastic and PFAS leaching is highest.

FAQs

Is artificial turf "PFAS-free"?

Based on available materials and data, most artificial turf products have not undergone independent PFAS testing and thus cannot be confirmed as PFAS-free. Our C-grade products show lower-risk material profiles and better transparency, but they have not been laboratory-confirmed to contain zero PFAS. F-grade products lack disclosure entirely and carry higher concern. No artificial turf product in our database includes third-party lab testing published in peer-reviewed sources confirming PFAS absence.

What is the difference between C-grade and F-grade turf in practical terms?

C-grade products (75/100 safety) use simpler material systems, avoid heavy adhesives, and often have transparent manufacturers willing to discuss composition. F-grade products (40/100