Facts & Figures
Pollution
A leaf blower causes as much smog as 17 cars
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
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Gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment is a significant source of toxic and carcinogenic exhaust and fine particulate matter. [BNE]
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According to the Lung Association, a leaf blower causes as much smog as 17 cars. [Amercian Lung Association]
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A two-stroke leaf blower emits 299 times the hydrocarbons compared to a 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Crew Cab pickup truck [EET].
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Gas-powered blowers emit carbon monoxide, which is a toxic air pollutant. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion. It is very difficult to separate the potential effects of carbon monoxide from those due to other respiratory irritants. Individuals working with gas-powered engines are also exposed to high concentrations of other combustion components of smoke and exhaust. [WHO2]
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A two stroke leaf blower emits 23 times the carbon monoxide compared to a 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Crew Cab pickup truck [EET].
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Gas-powered blowers produce nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen oxides can create environmental health hazards when they react with sunlight and other chemicals to form smog. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide react with substances in the atmosphere to form acid rain. [National Library of Medicine]
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A two-stroke leaf blower emits two times the nitrogen oxide compared to a 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Crew Cab pickup truck [EET]
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Leaf blower operators may be exposed to potentially hazardous concentrations of CO and PM intermittently throughout their work day. While exposures to CO and PM may not have immediate, acute effects, the potential health impacts are greater for long-term exposures leading to chronic effects.In addition, evidence of significantly elevated concentrations of benzene and 1,3-butadiene in the breathing zone of operators leads to concern about exposures to these toxic air contaminants.[CAL-EPA]
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Leaf blowers are an obvious source of particulate matter emissions.[FPP]
Did You Know?
1 hour of lawn care with gasoline powered equipment is the equivalent of driving about 1000 miles in a truck.
Noise
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Noise exposures from leaf lowers may be high enough that operators are at increased risk of developing hearing loss.[CAL-EPA]
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The low frequency noise from gas blowers travels much longer distances and penetrates windows more easily and therefore affects a significantly larger numbers of neighbors in urban settings. [ARUP]
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Many gas leaf blowers impact the operator’s ears at 100 decibels or more. [BNE]
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According to the World Health Organization, noise exposure and its secondary outcomes such as hypertension and reduced cognitive performance are estimated to account for an astounding number of years lost due to ill health, disability, or early death.[NK]
