According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, exhaust from gas-powered leaf blowers contains hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides — components of smog — plus carbon monoxide and particulate matter, all of which are known to harm people's health.
Do not use a blower indoors or in poorly ventilated areas. Inspect the blower before and during use to make sure controls, parts and safety devices are not damaged and are working properly. Never modify a blower in a way not authorized by the manufacturer.
Create Toxic Fumes
The two stroke engines that power leaf blowers are very inefficient and release significant levels of deadly pollutants: 1,3-butadiene (carcinogen) Benzene (carcinogen) Carbon dioxide (the leading cause of climate change)
Dr. Yawar Shoaib Ali Associate Director of neuro & spine surgery Sarvodaya Hospital says, the use of such heat generators e.g., Blower, heater reduces the level of essential oxygen and increases the level of carbon monoxide.
As you engage your leaf blower, small particles of debris and dust will start to move around. These can easily make their way into your eye, which can be quite painful! Be sure to wear safety goggles to keep these irritants out. Next, wear a face mask.
Required Personal Protective Equipment Safety glasses, hearing protection, long pants, gloves, sturdy boots. Hard hat provides additional protection. Face shield is optional. Long sleeves will protect arms.
Air Pollution - Gasoline powered leaf blowers typically use small two stroke engines which emit many more air pollutants than automobiles including Carbon Monoxide, Non-Methane Hydrocarbons and Oxides of Nitrogen.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.
Carbon Monoxide sources in the home
Homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages are more likely to have CO problems Common sources of CO in our homes include fuel-burning appliances and devices such as: Clothes dryers. Water heaters. Furnaces or boilers.
The high-decibel noise pollution of a gas-powered leaf blower is not just obnoxious and disruptive; it can actually cause tinnitus and hearing loss for the workers who use them (or anyone who is close to one for a full hour).
The carbon monoxide in the exhaust can cause both mild and serious effects to the operators, from headaches, dizziness, weakness, and nausea to vomiting and disorientation.
The equipment also produced more than 30 million tons of carbon dioxide and nearly 19,000 tons of methane, according to the report. These are just the pollutants that come out the back end of a leaf blower, Jubanyik said.
The tip of the leaf blower should always be pointing down. This way air is concentrated into a smaller area, providing you with more blowing control and precision. A shallow angle moves the leaves forward instead of up. Keeping the blower close to the ground also prevents dust from being blown upwards.
"To be respectful to your neighbors, avoid leaf blowing and other loud yard work before 8 am on a weekday and 9 am on the weekend," says etiquette expert Jo Hayes.
Rakes are key tools for any gardener. And even if you have a leaf blower, you'll also want a rake!
If no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh air, turn off all potential sources of CO - your oil or gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater and any vehicle or small engine.
Malfunctioning oil, wood, gas, or coal furnaces. Malfunctioning gas clothes dryer. Wood burning fireplace or gas log burner. Gas or fuel-burning appliances in cabins or campers, barbecue grills, pool or spa heaters, or ceiling-mounted heating units.
CO is primarily produced by the improper operation or ventilation of appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, ovens, fireplaces, fuel space heaters, generators, and charcoal grills that are fueled by oil, propane, natural gas, wood, kerosene, gasoline, and diesel.
Green plants grown in a closed, illuminated system liberate small quantities of carbon monoxide. Similarly, finely divided powder and chlorophyll extracts of green plants, when illuminated in an environment of oxygen and water, will yield small quantities of carbon monoxide as well as certain aldehydes.
A previous study found that carbon monoxide (CO), PM2. 5, and formaldehyde exposure levels from gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment were several times higher than relevant health based standards1.
Leaf blowers generate large amounts of airborne dust, which can be hazardous. To control exposure to nuisance dusts, wear a dust mask. To prevent eye injuries, wear safety goggles.
The Environmental Protection Agency has identified gas-powered garden equipment as an important source of toxic and cancer-causing pollution. Babies, children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, with their still-developing lungs, brains and other organs susceptible to harm from these toxins.