The New Year is a time when many of us make resolutions to improve our health and well-being. We make choices everyday about the foods we eat and the products we purchase that can contribute to our health (and the health of our planet) in a positive way, but there are also many external factors that affect our health and wellness – and leaf blowers are one of them.
The past few years have seen a substantial increase in the number of leaf blowers that are being used in our communities, and many cities have taken action to protect the public from their incessant air and noise pollution. People have a right to open the windows in their homes and cars, sit on a park bench, go for a walk, or exit a store or restaurant without being subjected to toxic fumes and deafening noise.
By 2020, small gas landscaping equipment is predicted to create more ozone pollution than all of the passenger cars in our state, making this a serious climate change issue. Using a gas leaf blower for one hour makes more emissions that driving 1,000 miles. The commonly used machines with two stroke engines utilize a gas and oil mixture that produces significant toxic exhaust that has been linked to asthma, heart disease, cancer and other serious ailments.
The noise pollution is deafening, literally: a 2017 CDC report lists gas leaf blowers as a common noise that can contribute to hearing loss. Clearly this is a serious public health issue, too.
The good news is that electric blowers have improved significantly the past few years and are capable of comparable work without compromising production or aesthetics, and result in a significant reduction in both noise and air pollution.
Momentum is growing in Walnut Creek asking city leaders to take action to protect the people who live, work and play here by joining the growing number of communities who are transitioning to electric leaf blowers. It's time for change – please join the nearly 500 people who have signed the petition to ban gas leaf blowers in Walnut Creek at change.org. To learn more, please visit Walnut Creek CALM.
Article author: Sheila Hill
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