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LEAF BLOWERS – DID YOU KNOW?
- Chronic noise: Analysis has shown that gas-powered blowers produce “sound energy” in the low-frequency range which has great penetrating power. It goes through walls, cement barriers, and many kinds of hearing-protection devices. The noise interferes with communication, sleep, work and school work. The World Health Organization recently lowered environmental noise standards for healthy communities to 53 decibels, and leaf blower noise far exceeds those standards.
- Dangerous dust and exhaust: Toxic exhaust and particulate matter from gas leaf blowers is known to be dangerous to our health, according to the American Lung Association and American Heart Association.
- Detrimental to developing children trying to learn. Studies show sustained exposure to excessive noise has detrimental effects on children’s health and development, and young children are especially vulnerable because they are developing. Exposure to excessive leaf blower noise increases risk of harmful health effects, according to numerous journal articles and Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN).
- Most professional landscapers use loud leaf blowers that far exceed safe standards. Quieter battery operated blowers are now available and affordable.
- Over 200 cities in more than 36 states across the country have enacted ordinances establishing rules for the use of leaf blowers to protect the public health of residents.
