AstroTurf · Artificial Turf & Grass
TrafficMaster Emerald Green Artificial Grass Turf Rug
Skip until brand discloses water-resistant treatment chemistry.
Artificial grass rugs often use water-repellent coating coatings that may contain PFAS. TrafficMaster provides no disclosure on treatment. Public lab data unavailable for this product.
The safe swap
Sportmaster
TrafficMaster Emerald Green Precut Turf Artificial Grass Rug
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its C.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polypropylene turf with unknown water/stain-resistant treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
furniture is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
TrafficMaster Emerald Green is polypropylene (PP) turf pile bonded to a backing material, likely polyurethane or latex. Polypropylene itself is chemically stable at room temperature and does not leach plasticizers or BPA. The primary concern is the water and stain-resistant finish applied to the fibers, which AstroTurf has not publicly detailed. This treatment is where potential hazards (including PFAS) typically hide in synthetic turf products.
The brand's record and disclosure
AstroTurf (Lonseal Inc.) has not published material safety data sheets or chemical disclosure statements specific to residential turf products in widely accessible databases. The brand has not achieved third-party certifications such as GreenGuard or FloorScore for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, which is standard for competing brands in the synthetic turf market. No major recalls or chemical controversies have been publicly reported for this specific product line, but silence on treatment chemistry is notable given industry scrutiny of PFAS in turf.
How it compares in its category
Synthetic turf rugs vary widely in chemical transparency. Premium brands (e.g., some FieldTurf residential lines) disclose backing materials and treatment chemicals; budget alternatives often do not. TrafficMaster sits in the mid-market segment with minimal public disclosure. The polypropylene fiber itself is less concerning than cheaper polyethylene alternatives, but the lack of certification limits confidence in off-gassing and water-resistance chemistry compared to brands with GreenGuard Gold or similar seals.
If you buy it
Unroll and air the rug in a well-ventilated space for 48-72 hours before placing in living areas to allow any volatile off-gassing to dissipate. Avoid placing in direct sunlight for extended periods, as polypropylene can degrade and shed fibers over time. Vacuum regularly with a standard vacuum (do not use steamers or excessive moisture, which can promote mold in the backing). Replace if fibers mat down severely, backing becomes waterlogged, or visible deterioration occurs (typically 5-10 years depending on foot traffic).
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water/stain-resistant treatment
AstroTurf has not disclosed the chemical composition of the finish applied to this turf. Synthetic turf products commonly use acrylics, polyurethanes, or siloxanes; some formulations may off-gas at low levels, especially in warm conditions. New product off-gassing is typically mild but cannot be ruled out without material data.
Fiber shedding and microplastic particle release
Polypropylene turf sheds fibers under foot traffic and weathering, particularly as the product ages and backing degrades. These shed fibers are microplastics. While ingestion risk is low in a rug setting, inhalation and household dust accumulation are documented with synthetic turf products. Regular vacuuming reduces exposure.
Mold and bacterial growth in wet backing
The underlying backing layer (polyurethane or latex) can trap moisture if spills are not dried quickly or if the rug is placed on damp flooring. Humid climates or high foot traffic with wet feet increase risk. This is a maintenance issue rather than a chemical hazard but affects product safety over time.
Flame retardant treatment (unconfirmed)
No public documentation exists confirming whether this product has been treated with flame retardants. Some residential turf rugs include brominated or phosphorous-based flame retardants to meet safety standards; AstroTurf's use is not established in available literature. Request a safety data sheet directly from the manufacturer if this is a concern.
Polypropylene degradation and leaching under heat
Polypropylene is stable at room temperature but can begin to degrade if exposed to sustained temperatures above 65-70°C (150-160°F). Placement near heat vents, radiators, or in direct sunlight over years may accelerate oxidative breakdown and release small amounts of degradation byproducts. Risk is low in typical indoor use.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Artificial Turf & Grass
Sportmaster
TrafficMaster Emerald Green Precut Turf Artificial Grass Rug
polypropylene turf backing, polyethylene grass fibers
Lower concern; no known PFAS-prone features, but brand disclosure absent.
⚠Risky category by default
Sportmaster
Multi Sport Turf
synthetic turf (polyethylene/polypropylene fibers, infill material unspecified)
Insufficient disclosure. Synthetic turf infill composition unknown.
⚠Risky category by default
Sportmaster
Artificial Landscaping Turf | 15ft Wide | | Artificial Turf, Synthetic Grass for Landscaping, Garden, Yards, Fields | In
polyethylene or polypropylene synthetic fibers, backing adhesive unspecified
No PFAS disclosure. Synthetic turf backing adhesives often contain PFAS; verify with seller.
⚠Risky category by default
More artificial turf & grass 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.