The American institute ASTM has published a new industry standard that provides a consistent approach to evaluating synthetic turf materials for PFAS. ASTM F3782-26 establishes a standardized practice for sampling and testing synthetic turf fiber and fabric for the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The new standard provides greater clarity and confidence for communities that want to continue enjoying the durability, safety, and water-saving benefits of synthetic turf, knowing there are no intentionally added PFAS in their products.
“While STC members committed to no longer using intentionally added PFAS in 2024, this standard provides manufacturers, specifiers, laboratories, end-users, and regulators with a defined framework for how turf samples should be collected and analyzed,” said Melanie Taylor, CAE, President and CEO of the Synthetic Turf Council (STC), the custodian of the synthetic turf industry in North America. “It reflects a collaborative effort among stakeholders to establish clear, science-based practices that support transparency and accountability.”
ASTM F3782-26 focuses specifically on synthetic turf fiber and backing materials, providing a more precise and relevant framework for evaluation.
PFAS are widely present in the environment and can be detected in many outdoor products due to environmental exposure, making background detections difficult to distinguish. “However, the synthetic turf industry remains focused on what it can control: ensuring PFAS are not intentionally added during the production process. F3782-26 specifies that the turf or fiber must be sampled at the manufacturing location and is not to be used for turf after it is shipped to a customer or job site,” she added.