Replace your gas-powered leaf blower

By Anne-Christine Strugnell, Green Change 

So, what causes more pollution: using your gas-powered leaf blower for half an hour, or driving a pickup truck for thousands of miles? 

The leaf blower is worse! According to tests by Edmunds, the pickup truck would have to drive 3,900 miles to emit as much pollution as a gas-powered leaf blower does in 30 minutes. It’s one reason why lawn-care equipment creates more overall pollution in California than cars do, according to CARB.

Gas leaf blowers are a serious health hazard. There’s the noise — some are as noisy as a plane taking off — which can damage hearing. There’s the chemical emissions. Plus the dust that any leaf blower stirs up, which can contain pollen, mold, animal feces, heavy metals, and chemicals. All this adds up to increased risk of lung cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease, premature birth, and other life-threatening conditions.

If you have a small yard, a better alternative is to simply rake leaves into piles that can serve as natural mulch and insect habitat.

If that’s not an option for you, switching to an electric leaf blower can save you money, reduce health risks, and protect our environment. To pick the right electric leaf blower for you, check out product reviews from sites like The New York Times or Popular Mechanics.

Photo by Fabrice Florin