Ban Leaf Blowers in Residential Areas

Noise and Lung Pollution

BAN THE USE OF LEAF BLOWERS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Jane Williamson started this petition to City of Albany, CA

Leaf blowers save time for professional gardeners, landscapers, maintenance crews and homeowners. And that is the one and only benefit they offer. Unfortunately the risk of harm blowers’ cause seriously outweighs the single benefit.

Using leaf blowers to clear away dirt and debris from surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways and parking areas, creates clouds of fine particulate dust that are harmful when inhaled. Dangerous dust including airborne feces, allergens, molds, and pollens are blown into the air, settling onto neighboring properties and through open windows and doors. All of these pollutants aggravate allergy and asthma problems. Studies done by the American Lung Association have found that street dust includes arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and mercury.

In healthy people, short-term exposure to elevated pollution causes minor irritations and temporary symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritations; coughing, phlegm, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, wheezing, and fatigue. Groups at greater risk include the elderly with cardio-pulmonary problems; individuals who exercise outdoors, and young infants. According to a government study in 1997 titled, “The Relationship between Selected Causes of Infant Mortality and Particulate Air Pollution in the United States,” sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SID) has been associated with the negative effects and pollutants from leaf blowers.

Gas powered leaf blowers generate as much tailpipe emissions in one hour as a new automobile does in driving over 350 miles. While a car will emit that pollution over a long stretch of road, the leaf blower may concentrate it all in one neighborhood. Emissions include particulate materials of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

Blowers are a major contributor to noise pollution. According to as article written by Jane Dale Owen, Leaf Blowers: Stirring Up a Mess, “…leaf blower use at one residence impacts eight to fourteen neighbors. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the noise induced by leaf blowers at 90 decibels exceeds the threshold of danger at 85 decibels and can seriously impair hearing. Leaf blowers are used mainly in residential areas where many types of residents are exposed to their pollutants and noise. This population includes homemakers, retirees, day sleepers, young toddlers, the ill or disabled and pets.”

THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES:
• Manual rakes and brooms.
• Vacuum-type equipment with dust collection device attachments. To name a few of the manufacturers who carry lawn/garden vacuums, they are, Greenworks, Craftsman, Billy Goat, and Swisher.

Please join my Change.org petition to ban leaf blowers in residential areas.