Sportmaster · Artificial Turf & Grass
PG40 Artificial Turf
Artificial turf backing/adhesives often use PFAS; Sportmaster does not disclose.
PG40 artificial turf material composition and waterproofing treatments are not publicly disclosed by Sportmaster. Synthetic turf backing and adhesives commonly contain PFAS, but no independent testing of this product is available.
The safe swap
Sportmaster
TrafficMaster Emerald Green Precut Turf Artificial Grass Rug
75/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyethylene or polypropylene fibers with unspecified backing/adhesive 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
PG40 uses polyethylene or polypropylene fibers, which are relatively inert plastics and do not leach monomers under normal use conditions. The critical unknown is the backing and adhesive system: synthetic turf backings often use polyurethane, PVC, or latex, each with different chemical profiles. Without specification from Sportmaster, you cannot assess whether the adhesive contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or, critically, PFAS-based stain/water repellents commonly used in turf products for durability.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sportmaster does not publicly disclose material composition, adhesive chemistry, or PFAS use in the PG40 product line. No third-party certifications (such as GreenGuard or OEKO-TEX) are on record for this product. The company's silence on these details is the primary concern; competitors in the artificial turf space increasingly publish full material declarations in response to PFAS scrutiny, and Sportmaster's absence of such transparency suggests either lack of testing or unwillingness to share findings.
How it compares in its category
Artificial turf as a category carries inherent PFAS risk in backing and adhesives, which most manufacturers have not adequately addressed. PG40 occupies the mid-market segment without distinguishing features (no published environmental certifications or PFAS-free claims). Products from manufacturers like Heatherwick or Field Turf that publish detailed material safety data and third-party testing offer greater transparency, though at higher cost. Natural grass or recycled-content alternatives eliminate the PFAS/adhesive concern entirely but require more maintenance.
If you buy it
Request full material specification and adhesive ingredient disclosure from Sportmaster before installation; many suppliers will push back, which is itself a red flag. During installation, ensure adequate ventilation in the work area to minimize inhalation of any adhesive VOCs. Avoid high-temperature applications (e.g., in direct sun reflection from nearby structures) that could degrade the backing and increase particle or chemical release. Plan for replacement within 8-10 years; aging turf shows increased shedding and backing degradation, at which point the adhesive/backing chemicals may mobilize more readily.
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 adhesive/backing
Synthetic turf backings and adhesives commonly off-gas in the first weeks to months after installation. Sportmaster's silence on adhesive type makes it impossible to assess VOC load; polyurethane and PVC-based systems carry higher risk than latex, but without disclosure, the grade remains 'possible' rather than established.
Microplastic shedding from fiber wear
PE and PP fibers in artificial turf shed microplastics over time through foot traffic and weather exposure. This is a documented phenomenon in the category and affects all synthetic turf; PG40 offers no material or design features to reduce shedding compared to industry norms.
Flame retardant treatment (unknown status)
Many artificial turfs are treated with flame retardants to meet safety codes; Sportmaster does not disclose whether PG40 carries such a treatment, so hazard status cannot be assessed. If present, common flame retardants include halogenated or organophosphate compounds with potential toxicological concerns, but no specific information is available for this product.
Degradation of backing/adhesive over time and UV exposure
Heavy metals in colorant/dye systems
Synthetic turf fibers are often colored with organic or inorganic dyes. No specific testing or disclosure from Sportmaster is on record regarding cadmium, lead, or other heavy metals in PG40 colorants; the industry standard is largely unregulated in this category.
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 & 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.