Addressing Your Health Concerns. Understand how Turflory ensures that all products are non-toxic, lead-free, and safe for households.
When considering artificial turf for your home, backyard, or playground, one of the most worrying questions that arises is: “Can artificial turf cause cancer?” This health concern has lingered in the minds of homeowners, parents, and property managers alike, fueled by misinformation and outdated reports about artificial turf materials. The truth is, modern artificial turf—when manufactured to strict safety standards—poses no cancer risk, and brands like Turflory go above and beyond to ensure their products are non-toxic, lead-free, and safe for every member of your family, including kids and pets. In this blog, we’ll debunk the myths, explore the root of the controversy, and explain how Turflory prioritizes artificial turf safety to give you peace of mind.
Root cause of concern: controversy over crushed rubber fillers
The fear that artificial turf can cause cancer stems primarily from outdated concerns about crushed rubber fillers, also known as crumb rubber, used in some older sports fields and low-quality turf products. Crumb rubber is made from recycled tires, and early studies in the 2000s raised questions about whether chemicals in the rubber—such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals—could leach out and pose health risks, including cancer.
However, decades of follow-up research by leading scientific organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have consistently debunked these crumb rubber myths. Multiple studies have found that the levels of chemicals in crumb rubber are far below dangerous thresholds, and there is no credible evidence linking crumb rubber fillers to cancer or other serious health issues. Additionally, modern turf manufacturing has evolved significantly, and most reputable brands—including Turflory—no longer use crumb rubber fillers in residential or landscape turf, opting instead for safer, more eco-friendly alternatives.
It’s important to distinguish between outdated, low-quality turf and modern, certified products. The cancer concern is a relic of older technology, and today’s artificial turf materials are designed with safety as a top priority.
Safety of modern landscape lawns: no use of harmful fillers
Today’s high-quality landscape artificial turf—including all options from Turflory—does not use harmful crushed rubber fillers, eliminating the outdated risks associated with older turf products. Instead, modern residential and playground turf uses safe, non-toxic infill materials such as silica sand, organic cork, or coconut fiber (coir), which are free of cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals.
The core materials of modern artificial turf—polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) fibers—are also inherently safe. These are the same materials used in food containers, baby bottles, and other household items that come into direct contact with humans. Unlike older turf fibers, which may have contained lead or other heavy metals to add weight or color, modern fibers are manufactured to strict environmental safety standards, with no toxic additives.
For parents worried about safe for kids play areas, modern artificial turf is an excellent choice. It provides a soft, shock-absorbent surface that reduces the risk of injuries from falls, while being free of harmful chemicals that could harm curious children who may touch or even mouth the grass.
Turflory's commitment: strict non-toxic standards
At Turflory, we understand that artificial turf safety is non-negotiable—especially when it comes to your family’s health. That’s why we have implemented strict non-toxic standards throughout every stage of our manufacturing process, from raw material selection to final product testing. Our commitment to safety is what sets us apart, and it’s why homeowners and property managers trust Turflory for non-toxic artificial grass.
Lead free and heavy metal free certification
All Turflory artificial turf products are fully lead free turf, with no detectable levels of lead or other harmful heavy metals (such as arsenic, cadmium, or mercury). We subject every batch of turf to rigorous third-party testing to ensure compliance with global safety standards, including the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and the European Union’s REACH regulations. Our products carry official lead-free and heavy metal-free certifications, so you can be confident that your turf is safe for kids, pets, and the entire family.
Use of food grade raw materials
Turflory goes a step further by using food-grade raw materials in our turf fibers and infill. Our PE and PP fibers are made from high-purity resins that meet food-contact safety standards, meaning they are free of toxic dyes, plasticizers, or other harmful additives. Even our infill materials—such as organic cork and coconut fiber—are sourced from sustainable, non-toxic sources, ensuring that every part of our turf is safe for direct contact with your family and pets.
To learn more about our manufacturing process, safety standards, and commitment to quality, visit our about page, where you can explore our certifications, testing results, and company values.
How to choose the safest lawn for your family's health
With so many artificial turf options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the safest product for your home. To ensure you’re selecting non-toxic artificial grass that poses no cancer risk, follow these key tips:
First, look for certified grass products that carry third-party safety certifications, such as lead-free, heavy metal-free, and non-toxic certifications. Avoid unbranded or low-cost turf that does not provide safety testing documentation—these products may use outdated, harmful materials.
Second, ask the manufacturer about their infill materials. Ensure they do not use crushed rubber (crumb rubber) and instead use safe alternatives like silica sand, cork, or coir. Turflory’s pet-friendly turf, for example, uses non-toxic infill that is safe for both pets and kids, with no harmful chemicals.
Third, prioritize brands with a clear commitment to artificial turf safety and transparency. Brands like Turflory openly share their testing results, manufacturing processes, and safety standards, so you can make an informed decision. Avoid brands that are vague about their materials or cannot provide proof of safety.
Finally, consider the intended use of the turf. If you’re installing turf for a playground or a backyard where kids and pets will spend time, opt for products specifically designed for those uses—like Turflory’s playground turf, which is engineered for maximum safety and durability.
At the end of the day, the question “Can artificial turf cause cancer?” has a simple answer: no, modern, non-toxic artificial turf does not cause cancer. The myths are based on outdated materials and misinformation, and today’s certified products are safer than ever before. Turflory’s commitment to strict safety standards, lead-free materials, and food-grade resins ensures that our artificial turf is not only beautiful and durable but also safe for your family’s health. Whether you’re looking for a backyard lawn, a playground surface, or pet-friendly turf, Turflory has you covered with non-toxic, safe options you can trust.