Leaf blower
A leaf blower, commonly known as a blower, is a device that propels air out of a nozzle to move debris such as leaves and grass cuttings. Leaf blowers are powered by electric or gasoline motors. Gasoline models have traditionally been two-stroke engines, but four-stroke engines were recently introduced to partially address air pollution concerns. Leaf blowers are typically self-contained handheld units, or backpack mounted units with a handheld wand. The latter is more ergonomic for prolonged use. Larger units may rest on wheels and even use a motor for propulsion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These are sometimes called "walk-behind leaf blowers" because they must be pushed by hand to be operated. Some units called blower vacs, can also suck in leaves and small twigs via a vacuum, and shred them into a bag.
Leaf blowers are a source of controversy due to their adverse impacts such as operator injury, including hearing loss, particulates air pollution, noise pollution, and ecological habitat destruction.<ref name="Micu-2019">Template:Cite web</ref> Over 200 localities have restricted the use of leaf blowers and many major cities, including Washington, DC,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> are implementing total bans due to the negative effects to operator health, ecological destruction, pollution, and nuisances including noise.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> October 9, 2021, California passed an air pollution control law AB1346 phasing out small off-road engines, like those found in leaf blowers, set to take effect January 1, 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Types of Leaf Blowers
There are different types of leaf blowers such as handheld, backpack, petrol, electric, and battery. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Environmental and occupational impact
Emissions from gasoline-powered grounds-keeping equipment in general are a source of air pollution<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and more immediately, noise pollution.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the United States, US emission standards prescribe maximum emissions from small engines. The two-stroke engines used in most leaf blowers operate by mixing gasoline with oil, and a third of this mixture is not burned, but is emitted as an aerosol exhaust. These pollutants have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and asthma.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A 2011 study found that the amount of NMHC pollutants emitted by a leaf blower operated for 30 minutes is comparable to the amount emitted by a Ford F-150 pickup truck driving from Texas to Alaska.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In addition to the adverse health effects of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulates generated in the exhaust gas of the gasoline-powered engines, leaf blowers pose problems related to the dust raised by the powerful flow of air. Dust clouds caused by leaf blowers contain potentially harmful substances such as pesticides, mold, and animal fecal matter that may cause irritation, allergies, and disease.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Noise pollution is also a concern with leaf blowers, as they can emit noise levels above those required to cause hearing loss to both the operator and those nearby.<ref name="Micu-2019" />
Leaf blowers also present an occupational hearing hazard to the nearly 1 million people who work in lawn service and ground-keeping.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A recent study assessed the occupational noise exposure among groundskeepers at several North Carolina public universities and found noise levels from leaf blowers averaging 89 decibels (A-weighted) and maximum sound pressure levels reaching 106 dB(A), both far exceeding the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit of 85 dB(A)<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Leaves are ecologically beneficial, providing habitat for insects and microorganisms and nutrients for the soil. Leaving some leaves rather than removing them all can support biodiversity.<ref name="Washington Post" />
Battery-powered leaf blowers produce zero emissions, are more efficient, and are even rechargeable, making them an increasingly reliable alternative to gas power.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Bans
Soon after the leaf blower was introduced into the U.S., its use was banned in two California cities, Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1975 and Beverly Hills in 1978, as a noise nuisance. There are currently twenty California cities that have banned leaf blowers, sometimes only within residential neighborhoods and usually targeting gasoline-powered equipment. Another 80 cities have ordinances on the books restricting either usage or noise level or both.<ref>Leaf-blower regulations nationwide Consumer Reports magazine, September 2010.</ref>
Washington, DC, passed a ban on gas-power leaf blowers in 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A law banning the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment in California will take effect in 2024.<ref name="Washington Post">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cambridge, MA banned them in 2025.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Portland, Oregon will ban gas-powered leaf blowers in 2028, with a phase-out period starting 2026. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>