GlobalTex · Artificial Turf & Grass
Artificial Landscaping Turf 15ft Wide $2.75/sqft Artificial Turf
Skip until coating composition disclosed; artificial turf often contains PFAS.
Artificial turf frequently uses PFAS-based coatings for water and stain resistance. GlobalTex provides no disclosure of coating chemistry, making risk assessment impossible.
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
polyethylene turf with unspecified waterproof/stain-resistant coating
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
GlobalTex artificial turf is polyethylene (PE) pile on a backing, a stable plastic polymer with low inherent toxicity. The critical unknown is the waterproof and stain-resistant coating applied to the fibers and/or backing. Industry standard for such coatings historically involves PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to achieve water and oil repellency. Without specification from GlobalTex, this coating's chemistry cannot be assessed, making the product's full safety profile unclear.
The brand's record and disclosure
GlobalTex has not published certifications (such as Oeko-Tex, GREENGUARD, or similar) or explicit PFAS-free claims in publicly available materials. The brand's silence on coating composition is a significant transparency gap in a product category where PFAS use is widespread and increasingly scrutinized. No major recalls or established safety controversies are on record for this brand, but lack of disclosure is not the same as absence of hazard.
How it compares in its category
Artificial turf as a whole carries elevated PFAS risk compared to natural grass or untreated stone alternatives, as the stain-resistant finish is a selling point. Some manufacturers (notably FieldTurf, Hellas) have begun publishing PFAS-testing or PFAS-free product lines in response to regulatory and consumer pressure. GlobalTex's position at the lower price point ($2.75/sqft is budget-tier) raises the likelihood that cost-cutting prioritizes affordability over premium coating formulations or third-party testing.
If you buy it
Contact GlobalTex directly to request the safety data sheet (SDS) for the coating and ask explicitly whether PFAS compounds are present. Store turf indoors or under cover to minimize weathering and leaching of coating components. Avoid installation in areas where runoff drains to groundwater or surface water used for drinking or irrigation. Wear gloves during installation to minimize skin contact with any residual coating dust, and ensure good ventilation if heat-welding seams, as heating synthetic materials can off-gas volatile compounds.
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.”
PFAS in stain-resistant/waterproof coating
Artificial turf products regularly contain PFAS in water and stain-resistant treatments. GlobalTex has not disclosed coating chemistry, and the budget price point suggests commodity-grade coating formulation typical of PFAS-based systems.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from coating and adhesives
Installation and warm-weather exposure may release VOCs from the waterproof coating and any polyurethane or rubber-based backing adhesives. Poorly ventilated indoor spaces or areas with high sun exposure carry higher off-gassing risk.
Microplastic shedding from pile fiber wear
Polyethylene artificial turf fibers degrade and shed microplastics during use, especially in high-traffic areas or under UV exposure. Particles can contaminate groundwater and surrounding soil; children playing directly on the surface have dermal and inhalation exposure risk.
Formaldehyde or other resins in backing or binders
PE-backing formulations may incorporate formaldehyde-releasing resins or adhesives to bind fibers and increase durability. No specific testing record for GlobalTex product; disclose-based assessment only.
Antimony (flame retardant) in polyester or backing components
If the turf contains polyester elements or flame-retardant backing, antimony may be present. No evidence of this in budget-tier PE turf; polyester blends are less common in lower-cost products.
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.