Having a gas-powered leaf blower operating in your vicinity is like inviting someone to blow a cloud of potentially dangerous chemicals, dust, and other pollutants in your direction. A gas-powered leaf blower produces exhaust containing both hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides both of which are components of smog.
At 200 miles per hour, the “wind” created by these leaf blowers can stir up dust containing pollutants such as dust, pollen, animal feces, mold and chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides applied to lawns. All of these elements contribute to poor health outcomes, especially in vulnerable segments of our population.
The noise from gas-powered lawn equipment is no
t only annoying, it’s also a health risk, both to the person operating the machinery and to those nearby. This exposure can lead to hearing loss, headaches and hypertension.
Even when you’re standing 50 feet away from a leaf blower, you’re still being exposed to dangerously high noise levels at or above 90 decibels, especially over a period of 30 minutes or more.
That’s equivalent to the noise level of a loud rock concert and just shy of the noise level of a jet engine at takeoff. Scientists agree that prolonged exposure to any noise above 85 decibels can lead to hearing loss in the average person.
Apart from the health impacts, gas-powered lawn equipment plays a significant and unfortunate role in our contribution to climate change.
Two-stroke engines, which are used in gas-powered lawn equipment, emit greenhouse gases and are dirtier than engines in most cars and trucks these days.
The Better Alternatives
The good news is, there are alternatives to gas-powered equipment that are better for you and the environment.
Electric Lawn Equipment
Electric versions of lawn equipment such as leaf blowers are generally more cost-effective. Both battery powered and plug-in versions are available.
Native/Natural Lawn Landscaping
Additionally, county residents may choose different "natural lawn" approaches to landscaping such as “leaving the leaves” to decompose, providing valuable nutrients to their lawns. Or gathering and composting their leaves and other lawn debris to create rich topsoil.