Realgrass · Artificial Turf & Synthetic Grass
RealTurf-Elite-Artificial Turf-Medium Pile Grass
Skip until PFAS treatment details are disclosed by brand.
Artificial turf typically uses water and stain resistant coatings commonly containing PFAS, but Realgrass discloses nothing about treatments. Request material safety data before purchase.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polypropylene or polyethylene backing with unknown coatings and treatments
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
RealTurf-Elite uses polypropylene or polyethylene as the primary fiber material, which are thermoplastic polymers stable at typical indoor and outdoor temperatures. The backing layer and any applied coatings or antimicrobial/UV-protection treatments are not publicly detailed by Realgrass. Without transparency on these additives, the full chemical profile of degradation products, volatile organics, or durability enhancers remains unknown.
The brand's record and disclosure
Realgrass has not published substantive disclosures regarding chemical treatments, certifications (such as Cradle-to-Cradle, GreenGuard, or ISO standards), or testing for flame retardants, heavy metals, or off-gassing. No major recalls or formal safety controversies are on record for this specific product line. The brand's silence on manufacturing inputs and treatment chemistry is typical of the artificial turf sector but limits independent verification.
How it compares in its category
Artificial turf as a category sits between traditional carpet (higher VOC and flame-retardant risk) and natural grass (minimal chemical risk). RealTurf-Elite's mid-tier positioning and lack of marketed premium certifications suggest it uses standard industry coatings rather than low-chemical alternatives. Competitors with published third-party testing or restricted-substance declarations offer more assurance.
If you buy it
Ensure adequate outdoor ventilation during and after installation to disperse any initial off-gassing. Rinse the turf surface with water before first use if possible, and allow 48-72 hours of airing out in a well-ventilated space. For indoor residential use (playrooms, basements), request a sample for off-odor assessment in your specific environment. Replace sections showing visible degradation, fraying, or color loss, as UV and moisture breakdown may liberate particles or residual treatments.
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) and off-gassing from backing and coatings
Polypropylene backing and undisclosed adhesives or protective coatings may release low levels of VOCs during initial installation and in warm conditions. No test results are publicly available for this specific product; risk is moderate in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
Flame retardant chemical additives
Realgrass has not disclosed whether RealTurf-Elite contains halogenated or phosphorus-based flame retardants. If present, they are typically bound in the backing and pose minimal risk during normal use unless the product is damaged or burned.
Heavy metals in pigments and UV stabilizers
Artificial turf fibers are often dyed with pigments that may contain cadmium, lead, or chromium, and UV stabilizers may include metals. Migration risk is very low in intact products, but degraded or weathered turf could shed particles. No testing data is available for this brand.
Microplastics and fiber shedding from wear
All artificial turf sheds fibers during use, particularly in high-traffic areas. Polypropylene and polyethylene fibers become microplastics if degraded; accumulation in soil or water is a documented environmental concern, though inhalation risk in residential settings is minimal.
Formaldehyde in backing adhesives
Some artificial turf products use formaldehyde-containing binders in the backing layer to secure fibers. Realgrass does not specify the adhesive chemistry for RealTurf-Elite; off-gassing potential is highest during the first few weeks after installation.
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.
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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.