GAS-POWERED LEAF BLOWERS ARE A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT
Leaf blowers represent a major threat to health and are a major contributor to climate change. Local cities and San Diego County should join the over 60 cities in California that have banned gas-powered leaf blowers, moving towards zero emissions landscaping equipment. Assembly Bill 1346 will prohibit the sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines, including landscaping equipment, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the new state law won’t take effect until 2024 and doesn’t remove existing gas-powered equipment from use.
Among landscaping equipment, gaspowered leaf blowers are the worst offenders to the environment and to operator health. According to the California Air Resources Board, running a gas-powered leaf blower for one hour produces the same level of smog-forming pollution as driving a midsize sedan 1,100 miles from Los Angeles to Denver. Moreover, the airspeed of leaf blowers can be anywhere from 135 mph to 170 mph, so particulate matter is dispersed into the air that exceeds exhaust emissions and includes dust, herbicides, animal feces, pollen, pesticides and spores.
Emissions and noise levels from gas leaf blowers present a threat to public health.
Equipment operators are overexposed to toxic fumes, fine particulates that irritate respiratory systems and unsafe noise levels at close range. Vibrations from gas-powered leaf blowers are known to cause nerve damage in the hands and arms of operators. Children, older people and others with hearing disorders or neurological conditions like autism are especially vulnerable. The health hazards posed by gas-powered leaf blowers are an environmental justice issue for the equipment operators and our most vulnerable populations.
According to a new report from Environment California Research & Policy Center, Frontier Group and CALPIRG Education Fund, air pollution increases the risk of premature death, asthma attacks, cancer and other adverse health impacts, and causes 34,000 deaths every year in California. Poor air quality complicates any existing health conditions. Per the CALPIRG report, in 2020, the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro areas suffered the second highest number of days with elevated ozone and particulate pollution in California.
Our nation is struggling with extreme changes in climate due to emissions of greenhouse gases. Local cities and the county have failed to meet their emission reduction goals. The city of San Diego’s most recent draft Climate Action Plan is missing a key component in its strategy to decarbonize urban spaces. Replacing the use of twostroke landscaping equipment with electricor battery-powered equipment is a direct and immediate action that would have a tremendous impact on reducing greenhouse gasses and improving air quality.
Technology for electric landscaping equipment has advanced greatly in recent years. Zero-emission lawn equipment has come down in price, and battery storage capacity is increasing. Most mainstream manufacturers now offer electric options. According to The Washington Post, electric landscaping equipment is sweeping the country.
We recognize the transition to electric leaf blowers must be equitable because of the economic hardships for small independent landscape operators. Before a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers can be enacted, there must be a trade-in or buy-back program that would cover 75 percent or more of the cost of a new leaf blower. Assembly Bill 1346 allocates $30 million statewide for such programs. San Diego must advocate for its fair share of these funds.
We call upon San Diego County and municipalities that have not yet acted to eliminate the use of gas-powered leaf blowers to:
Immediately transition to electric landscaping equipment on city/county properties.
Resolve to ban gas-powered leaf blowers in an equitable manner.
Support or develop incentive programs for landscapers to transition to electric equipment that emits 65 decibels or less.
Urge the San Diego Air Pollution Control District to fund a buy-back program for gas-powered leaf blowers.
Actions we can take as individuals to promote quieter and healthier neighborhoods include:
Encourage your commercial landscape company to switch from gas-powered leaf blowers to electric ones that emit 65 decibels or less.
Purchase an electric leaf blower for your gardener to use.
Encourage your gardener to use a rake and broom.