The ban is in response to a growing concern of gas-powered leaf blowers contributing to the detriment of public health, quality of life, and the environment.
In fact, according to the California Air Resources Board, a single operator using a gas leaf blower for one hour generates the same smog-forming emissions as one car driving 1,100 miles. These small devices also leak formaldehyde and benzene, both of which are known carcinogens.
Leaf blowers circulate allergens, toxins, pollutants like herbicides and pesticides, and pathogens into the air, along with dust. Leaf mold can also make asthma worse. The American Lung Association recommends that everyone avoid leaf blowers due to the toxic dust they create.
Gas-powered blowers are being targeted by governments across the country. A ban in California starts next month, and similar measures have passed in Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon; Montgomery County, Maryland; Burlington, Vermont; and Evanston, Illinois, among other places.
Overall, raking and sweeping leaves is a more efficient way to clean sidewalks and streets than using a leaf blower because it eliminates the need for fuel consumption and noise pollution.
Leave the leaves, or move them just a bit
Leaves are great for soil quality: they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and boost nutrition. And perennial plants appreciate the extra insulation through the winter, too!
Most of the time, however, you'll be doing your garden more harm than good by exceeding recommended speeds: rocks and dirt flying everywhere, destroyed grass and tears of dread. Treat leaf blowing the same way you would any other garden job. Take your time and do it right; Your lawn will appreciate the effort.
Walk-behind leaf blowers (also called push blowers) are designed for the heavy-duty landscaping jobs. They have the power to clear leaves and debris.
Both contribute to climate change and harm public health. Worse yet, gas-powered leaf blowers also emit nitrous oxide. The EPA estimates that the impact of one pound of nitrous oxide on warming the atmosphere is almost 300 times that of an equivalent pound of carbon dioxide.
Gas blowers emit higher noise levels due to their powerful engines, making prolonged use uncomfortable without proper ear protection. Battery blowers, in contrast, offer a much quieter operation, allowing for leaf-clearing sessions that are both efficient and less intrusive.
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.
Leaf blowers are faster and more efficient for clearing large areas of leaves and debris, while leaf vacuums are better for precision work and collecting debris in a bag. Leaf blowers are better for larger yards and tougher debris, while leaf vacuums are better for smaller yards and more delicate areas.
Use nozzle attachments to reach high places. Do not use a leaf blower if you are tired or sick, taking medication, or if you have used drugs or alcohol.
Gas leaf blowers pollute the air, are harmful to operators and bystanders, and create high levels of noise. In 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 1346, which bans the sale of gas powered gas leaf blowers and other small off-road engines (SOREs) within California effective January 1, 2024.
Ordinance Overview and Enforcement
No agent or person is permitted to use a gas-powered leaf blower. Property owners and homeowners are held responsible for compliance and will receive citations for violations, even if they are not the person using a gas-powered leaf blower on their property.
More than 50 percent of airborne particulates are emitted by strimmers and chainsaws. "The small combustion engines which the workers carry on their backs use petrol with oil additives. This makes them real belchers," says Reto Meier, the lead author of the study.
Not only does the leaf blower itself create pollution, the force of wind it creates can spread materials on the ground like mold, leaf litter, dirt, yard chemicals, and animal waste up into the air where particles can trigger additional health issues like asthma attacks, worsening allergies or COPD symptoms.
As anyone who has ever used a leaf blower can attest, their 200-mile-an-hour winds also spin up clouds of dust. That dust can contain pollen, mold, animal feces, heavy metals, and chemicals from herbicides and pesticides, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Use lawn mower with collecting bin.
6. Use an Electric Leaf Vacuum - catches and mulches leaves as they are sucked up; gives control over placement of leaves; eliminates exhaust and particulate air pollution problems; 50-70% quieter than gas blowers.
Lawn and landscaping expert Gene Caballero summed it up succinctly: 'Leaf blowers are great for clearing large areas quickly. ' If you have a huge lawn or driveway, a rake won't cut it. You need a leaf blower to efficiently move a large number of leaves.
Leaf blowers aren't just noisy — they're also huge climate polluters. Gas-powered lawn equipment like leaf blowers and lawn mowers pollute a lot more than you might think.
How many MPH is good for a leaf blower? For most applications, a good MPH is around 110-200 MPH. Go for a higher MPH blower if you live in a wet climate and/or have particularly stubborn debris.
The second train of thought is that mowing should be done last, after trimming and blowing. This method ensures that all the clippings/dirt that is tossed onto roads/sidewalks are picked up in the grass catcher of the mower and not laid out on the lawn.
Electric blowers, whether corded or cordless, are better for the environment. They have no emissions at the point of use, and they run far more efficiently. Based on our member surveys, they're also more reliable, which means they're less likely to end up in a landfill.