Gas leaf blowers (GLBs) generate harmful air and noise pollution, posing health risks to children and long-term users. Emissions from GLBs are equivalent to extensive car travel and are linked to respiratory issues, cancer, and other health problems. Their loud noise exceeds safe levels, leading to hearing loss and impaired communication, especially in young children. The article recommends using electric tools and manual methods as alternatives and urges municipalities to ban or restrict GLBs.

This guide highlights safe and effective leaf blower use, urging users to read the manufacturer's instruction manual before operation. Key tips include keeping bystanders 50 feet away, avoiding indoor use, and inspecting the blower for damage. Proper operation is emphasized for responsibility and courtesy. Leaf blowers are versatile tools useful for tasks like removing grass clippings, cleaning gutters, and clearing light snow.

This booklet shows the proper way to use a leaf blower, as well as the different types of leaf blowers and different jobs that leaf blowers perform. After reading this booklet, you will have a greater understanding of how to use a leaf blower safely and courteously to protect both yourself and the people around you.

The article addresses the environmental and health issues of gas-powered leaf blowers, which emit significant pollutants and produce disruptive noise affecting communities and wildlife. A MASSPIRG report highlights their carbon emissions, equivalent to pollution from 135,000 cars in Massachusetts in 2020. Many cities, alongside advocacy groups like Quiet Communities, are pushing for a shift to quieter, electric models. Restrictions are increasing, with California set to ban new gas-powered tools next year.

California has become the first state to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers and small off-road engines by enacting Assembly Bill 1346. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the law requires zero emissions for these engines by 2024 and allocates $30 million to help landscaping businesses transition to zero-emission equipment.

Arup conducted tests on three gas and four battery-powered leaf blowers to assess their noise impact. The results revealed that gas leaf blowers produce a significantly higher low-frequency sound component, which travels further and penetrates home windows more easily, making them noticeably louder indoors and contributing to greater noise disturbance in the community compared to battery leaf blowers.

Jamie Banks, Executive Director of Quiet Communities, supported Bill 22-234, which regulates gas leaf blowers (GLBs) in Washington, D.C. She emphasized the health risks of GLBs, including noise pollution and emissions affecting vulnerable populations, and advocated for battery-powered leaf blowers (BLBs) as a cleaner, quieter alternative. Her testimony urged prompt legislative action to improve air quality and community well-being.

Dr. Daniel Fink, Board Chair of The Quiet Coalition, submitted a statement to the D.C. City Council supporting the Leaf Blower Amendment Act of 2017 (Bill No. 22-234). He warned that gas-powered leaf blower noise poses serious health risks, including hearing loss and other health issues, and noted that its low-frequency sound travels further and impacts more residents than battery-powered alternatives.

The article highlights the health risks and pollution from gas-powered leaf blowers, which emit toxic pollutants. Workers face health issues from exposure, and despite regulations pushing for electric alternatives, industry resistance persists. Advocacy groups like Quiet Communities, founded by Jamie Banks, are working to promote the transition to electric equipment to reduce health and environmental impacts.

The article by Stuart Silverstein and Anne Boiko-Weyrauch discusses the pollution and health risks from gas-powered leaf blowers, highlighting emissions of toxic substances like benzene and ultrafine particles that pose serious health risks, particularly to landscaping workers. Jamie Banks, founder of Quiet Communities, is mentioned for advocating against noise and emissions from such equipment. Efforts to switch to electric equipment are growing, supported by incentives in some regions to promote cleaner alternatives.

The Massachusetts Medical Society report highlights the health risks of gasoline-powered leaf blowers (GLBs), including hearing loss and respiratory issues, especially for vulnerable populations. It recommends adopting policies to recognize noise pollution as a public health hazard and encourages efforts to reduce GLB emissions. The report also calls for informing municipalities about these risks as they consider regulating or banning GLBs.

The Medical Society of the State of New York adopted a resolution calling on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and gas leaf blower manufacturers to create guidelines that significantly reduce toxic emissions and noise levels. Additionally, the Society encourages the promotion of non-polluting alternatives to gas leaf blowers. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the American Medical Association for consideration.

The letter to the Eastchester Town Board supports a ban on gasoline-powered leaf blowers and restrictions on internal combustion tools from May 15 to September 15. Signed by health professionals from the Mount Sinai Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, it emphasizes the health risks, particularly to children, from harmful pollutants, excessive noise, and potential eye injuries. The authors urge the Board to act to protect community health and improve respiratory wellness.

The San Luis Obispo Grand Jury report highlights the health hazards of two-cycle gasoline leaf blowers, which produce significant emissions, toxic exhaust, and high noise levels. These blowers emit pollutants equivalent to a car driven 200 miles in one hour. The report recommends a gradual phase-out in favor of cleaner alternatives like electric blowers or manual tools. The Grand Jury calls for county and city regulations to mitigate health risks and improve quality of life.

The "Leaf Blower Hazards" training manual from Echo, Inc. provides essential guidelines for the responsible use of leaf blowers, addressing concerns about noise, emissions, and dust pollution. It emphasizes the importance of considerate operation, adherence to local noise ordinances, and running leaf blowers at part throttle to minimize disturbances.

This study by the Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health examined noise emissions from leaf blowers and other gardening equipment. Testing of nine leaf blowers revealed noise exposure levels between 93-102 dB(A), with the highest levels from 2-stroke engines. These engines emitted low-frequency tonal noise components, which penetrate walls and are perceived as particularly irritating. The study highlights the significant noise emissions from leaf blowers, contributing to public complaints and recognizing the need for improved noise control in such equipment.

The Grand Jury report outlines the health and environmental hazards of gas-powered leaf blowers in Orange County, citing toxic emissions, particulate pollution, and harmful noise levels. Exhaust from these blowers is likened to the pollution of 17 cars per hour. The report calls for local governments, school districts, and community colleges to stop using gas-powered blowers in favor of cleaner alternatives like rakes, brooms, or electric blowers. It highlights successful compliance in cities that have banned the devices, emphasizing the need to protect public health and improve quality of life.