Realgrass · Artificial Turf & Synthetic Grass
RealGrass Classic 5 ft. x 10 ft. Artificial Grass //sq. ft.
Lower concern, but no brand PFAS transparency. Verify before buying.
Artificial grass typically uses polyethylene or polypropylene without inherent PFAS. However, RealGrass provides no public disclosure on coatings or treatments, leaving uncertainty about stain or water resistance additives.
Shop Realgrass on Amazon →Material
polyethylene and polypropylene synthetic grass fibers
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
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
RealGrass Classic uses polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) synthetic fibers, which are thermoplastic polymers commonly used in artificial turf because they resist UV degradation and moisture. These materials themselves are relatively stable, but the manufacturing process often involves additives like flame retardants, colorants, and stabilizers that can off-gas, especially in warm conditions or direct sunlight. The backing and infill materials (if any) are where most chemical concerns arise, as they may contain antimony as a flame retardant catalyst or other brominated compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
RealGrass provides no publicly available safety data sheets, third-party certifications (such as GreenGuard), or transparency statements regarding flame retardants, heavy metals, or off-gassing emissions on their product pages or website. The brand has not published PFAS disclosure or commitment statements despite growing industry scrutiny of synthetic turf and per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances. No major recalls or established safety controversies are on record for this specific product, but the silence on chemical composition is notable for a ground-contact consumer item.
How it compares in its category
Artificial grass products occupy a middle ground between outdoor furniture and textiles; many competitors (including brands like FieldTurf and SynLawn) now offer third-party testing or GreenGuard certification to address VOC and flame retardant concerns, which RealGrass Classic does not advertise. Natural grass requires no off-gassing risk but demands water and maintenance; artificial alternatives trade chemical exposure for water savings and durability. RealGrass Classic is competitively priced but lags peers in chemical transparency, making it harder to assess long-term safety.
If you buy it
Install in well-ventilated outdoor areas and allow the product to air out for 48-72 hours before heavy foot traffic, especially if stored indoors before placement. Avoid high-heat concentrated use (e.g., reflective heat from windows) that may accelerate off-gassing of additives. Rinse the surface regularly with water to minimize dust and potential microfiber release. Plan replacement after 8-10 years of heavy use; shorter lifespan increases cumulative chemical exposure risk over time.
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.”
Flame retardants (brominated or antimony-based)
Synthetic turf fibers and backing typically contain flame retardants to meet safety codes; RealGrass Classic does not disclose which compounds are used, so antimony or legacy brominated retardants cannot be ruled out. Direct skin contact with infill or fibers may pose minimal risk, but dust inhalation or leaching into soil during heavy rain is possible.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Polyethylene and polypropylene artificial grass products are documented to emit VOCs, particularly in warm weather or direct sunlight. RealGrass provides no emissions testing data or GreenGuard certification, so off-gassing intensity for this specific product is unknown but typical of the material class.
Heavy metal pigments (lead, cadmium in colorants)
PE/PP fibers are dyed using industrial colorants; while modern manufacturers increasingly avoid lead and cadmium, no independent testing results for RealGrass Classic are publicly available. Green and dark-colored artificial grass fibers carry slightly higher historical risk for legacy heavy metal dyes.
Microfiber shedding during wear
Synthetic grass fibers degrade over time through foot traffic and UV exposure, releasing microplastics into soil and potentially into runoff. This is an inherent property of PE/PP materials and not specific to brand quality, but affects long-term environmental and potential inhalation exposure.
Backing material leachables (if polyurethane or rubber-based)
RealGrass Classic does not disclose backing composition on available product pages. If the base contains recycled rubber or polyurethane foam, zinc and phthalates could leach into soil or groundwater, but no specific data or recalls exist for this product.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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.
More artificial turf & synthetic 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.