30/ 100
F
OverallF0/100
Red Shed Artificial Grass 5 ft. x 7.5 ft.

Realgrass · Artificial Turf & Synthetic Grass

Red Shed Artificial Grass 5 ft. x 7.5 ft.

F · High PFAS

Artificial grass likely water-treated; Realgrass does not disclose PFAS status.

Verdict: SkipArtificial grass poses minimal established hazards beyond undisclosed PFAS treatment; regular maintenance and heat avoidance reduce risk.

Artificial grass products often use water-resistant or stain-resistant coatings that may contain PFAS. Realgrass provides no public information about PFAS content or treatment methods. Manufacturer contact recommended for specifics.

The safe swap

Green Valley Pro 105

Artificial Grass Liquidators

Green Valley Pro 105

75/100 safety

C

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

Polypropylene or polyethylene backing with synthetic fiber face, likely water-repellent coating-treated

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.

Hurts the grade

Category baseline

furniture is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Red Shed artificial grass uses a polypropylene or polyethylene fiber face with a plastic or rubber backing, both common thermoplastics. The 'water-repellent coating' (water-repellent coating) finish is almost certainly PFAS-based, though Realgrass does not specify the chemistry. These materials are inherently stable at room temperature but can degrade or off-gas under heat stress, and the backing compounds may leach additives if worn or damaged over time.

The brand's record and disclosure

Realgrass maintains no public PFAS disclosure, certification statements, or independent safety testing documentation on this product. The brand has no documented recalls or established safety controversies in public records. Lack of transparency on water-treatment chemistry is typical for budget artificial grass brands but leaves consumers without verification of water-repellent coating formulation or degradation safety.

How it compares in its category

This product sits at the lower end of transparency for synthetic turf. Premium brands like FieldTurf and SynLawn publish material safety data more openly; budget alternatives (Realgrass, Red Shed house brand) typically do not. All artificial grass carries PFAS risk if water-repellent coating-treated, but disclosure gaps prevent direct comparison of actual chemical load or durability claims.

If you buy it

Install in shade or partial shade to minimize heat-driven off-gassing and fiber degradation; prolonged sun exposure accelerates plastic breakdown and potential additive leaching into soil or water runoff. Rinse regularly with cool water to clear dust and remove surface contaminants. Inspect the backing yearly for cracks, separation, or soft spots indicating structural failure. Do not use near high-heat sources (grills, fire pits) or allow standing water to pool, as moisture can promote mildew and accelerate material breakdown.

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.”

Possible

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing from plastic backing and adhesives

Polypropylene and polyethylene backing compounds, especially rubber infill or adhesives, may release low levels of VOCs during installation and in warm weather. No testing data is published by Realgrass; risk is primarily relevant in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, though outdoor use significantly mitigates exposure.

Possible

Plastic additive leaching (phthalates, antimony, stabilizers) into soil or water

Polyethylene and polypropylene are stabilized with various additives; UV exposure and water contact can promote migration into surrounding soil or groundwater over years of use. Realgrass does not disclose stabilizer chemistry, so specific additive risk cannot be quantified, but risk is lower than for vinyl or heavily plasticized products.

Likely

Microplastic shedding from fiber face and backing wear

Synthetic grass naturally sheds fibers and backing particles as it degrades, especially in high-traffic areas or under temperature cycling. Particles can enter soil, water systems, and dust; long-term accumulation hazard is recognized but not quantified for this specific brand. Regular cleaning and inspection to remove loose debris mitigates spread.

Possible

Moisture retention and mold/bacterial growth in backing layers

Poor drainage design or improper installation can trap water in the backing, creating conditions for mold and bacterial growth, especially in humid climates. Realgrass does not specify drainage design or backing permeability; maintenance practices (rinsing, drying) are critical to prevent moisture-related degradation and odor.

None known

Heavy metals or contaminants in rubber infill or recycled material components

No documented recalls or testing results are published for Red Shed artificial grass specifically. If this product uses recycled rubber infill, trace metals (lead, zinc) are theoretically possible but not established for this brand; Realgrass does not disclose infill source or composition.

What we don’t know

This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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 & Synthetic Grass

Green Valley Pro 105

Artificial Grass Liquidators

Green Valley Pro 105

Polyethylene (PE) synthetic fibers, backing unknown

C
F
PFASAll
C · Moderate5 flags

Skip until composition and backing fully disclosed.

Risky category by default

Style Selections Artificial Grass

Realgrass

Style Selections Artificial Grass

polyethylene plastic grass blades, polypropylene or latex backing

C
F
PFASAll
C · Moderate3 flags

Lower concern, but verify Realgrass PFAS stance before purchase.

Risky category by default

RealGrass Classic 5 ft. x 10 ft. Artificial Grass //sq. ft.

Realgrass

Classic 5 ft. x 10 ft. Artificial Grass //sq. ft.

polyethylene and polypropylene synthetic grass fibers

C
F
PFASAll
C · Moderate4 flags

Lower concern, but no brand PFAS transparency.

Risky category by default

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.