It may sound incredible, but ordinary gas-powered lawn equipment can pollute way more than our vehicles and pose serious health hazards to all of us in the neighborhood. For instance, using a gas leaf blower for one hour pollutes as much as driving 1,100 miles. Using a gas mower for an hour is like driving 300 miles. This is because the small engines of lawn equipment burn an oil-gas mixture that generates high levels of smog-forming chemicals, fine particulate matter, and air toxics such as benzene and formaldehyde. In addition, blowers stir up dust clouds containing whatever is on the ground: lead, demolition debris, fecal matter, allergens, and fertilizers. These pollutants make the air unsafe for us to breathe. Our health risks include asthma attacks, heart and lung diseases, and cancer. Particularly at risk are children, seniors, people with asthma and other chronic illnesses, people out exercising, and landscapers.
Gas-powered yard equipment is also loud. Leaf blower noise can reach 115 decibels and carry for several blocks. When multiple machines are used at once, the noise is compounded and inescapable—unbearable to the point of causing hearing loss and exacerbating heart problems.
Luckily we have the power to make a difference in the air we breathe by changing our practices and raising awareness:
- Use a broom, rake, and push mower. Electric tools can be purchased, shared with a neighbor, or borrowed from the Northeast Portland Tool Library.
- Talk to your contractor about the harmful effects of gas-powered equipment and suggest alternatives. For instance, instead of using noisy, polluting blowers to clear leaves from lawns, those leaves can be raked off and left in beds as mulch: win-win!
- Hire contractors who use electric or manual tools exclusively. Two companies adhering to this practice in our neighborhood are Clean Air Lawn Care and Aristata Land Arts.
- Read more information on this topic at quietcommunities.org and spread the word.