NeedleCloud

Since our move to the new neighborhood leaf blowers have been more and more common. Our neighbors actually have yards here and many of them hire people to come out and care for them.

Leaf blowers have always kind of gotten on my nerves. They are noisy and incredibly wasteful. What’s so terrible about having a leaf on your sidewalk anyway? What about a broom or a rake?

It seems to me like they are they equivalent of using a bazooka to kill a fly.

Today as I sit in my house enjoying a lazy Saturday morning there’s a symphony of leaf blowers blowing dust and dirt all over the neighborhood. The warm breeze blows the exhaust in my window. Lovely.

So I’m going to do something about it instead of just complaining. I wrote my alderman this morning and have started doing some research on how to get a ban on leaf blowers passed in my neighborhood. I’m also talking to our management company about having our maintenance people not use leaf blowers on our property.

The thing that makes me a little crazy about the whole issue is the same neighbors I see outside with their electric or old fashioned human powered push mowers are the some of the same people who have landscaping companies out there blowing leaves around.

Why are gas leaf blowers so offensive?

They pollute the air. A single gas-powered leaf blower can emit as much pollution in a year as 80 cars. It’s not just the emissions that pollute the air it’s also all the stuff they stir up into the air.

-From nonoise.org

Street dust includes lead, organic carbon, and elemental carbon according to a study conducted for the ARB. The Lung Association states “the lead levels are of concern due to [their] great acute toxicity… Elemental carbon…usually contains several absorbed carcinogens.” Another study found arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and mercury in street dust as well. The ARB states that a leaf blower creates 2.6 pounds of PM10 dust emissions per hour of use, and based on this a report from the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District states that leaf blower dust is responsible for two percent of our PM. Blowers are widely used in residential areas where many people are exposed.

They’re really noisy. A normal decibel level, considered acceptable in residential areas, is about 60 decibels (60dB). Every increase in decibels means noise that is 10 times louder. Leaf-blowers usually generate about 70-75 dB. According to the U.S. EPA this level of noise actually degrades quality of life by interfering with communication and sleep, leads to reduced accuracy of work and increased levels of aggravation, which can linger hours after exposure.

They worsen allergies and asthma and irritate the lungs. Because they operate at such high velocities, leaf blowers stir up the mold, allergens, and dust particles that otherwise have been tamped down with rain and decomposition.

They waste gas. Two-stroke engine fuel is a gasoline-oil mixture, thus especially toxic. Rakes and even electric-lawn blowers offer a petroleum-free alternative.

Some alternatives to gas leaf blowers:

Leaf sweeper. It picks up leaves and puts them into a  bag as you roll it over your lawn or driveway.

If you just have to blow leaves around, choose electric.

Electric leaf blowers are lighter, quieter and vibrate less than gas units. An electric motor drives the fan, so there’s no need to mix fuel or refill. Smaller and medium-sized yards are especially good candidates for electric blowers. There are two types:

Corded leaf blowers provide constant power as long as you have access to an electrical outlet. The attached cord limits mobility so this may not be the best choice for a lawn with lots of trees. Look for a cord retention system to prevent the cord from being accidentally unplugged during use. Also, use an electrical cord that’s rated for outdoor use.

Rechargeable/battery-operated leaf blowers are good alternatives for smaller areas or jobs. They work well on solid surfaces like driveways and garages. They’re limited by their run time and the fact that they move less air than larger models.

If your landscaping company gives you trouble and says it’ll be less efficient and more time consuming, send them this.

Grandmother Proves Rake and Broom as Fast as Leaf Blowers