Leaf Blower Hazards in SAN Luis Obispo County

Gasoline-powered leaf blowers, particularly two-cycle models, create exhaust emissions containing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other harmful particulate matter. The resulting pollution from one leaf blower operated for one hour is approximately equivalent to one car being driven 200 miles.

All leaf blowers create fugitive dust drifts containing harmful chemicals, fungi, fecal matter and harmful particulate matter that can linger in the air for hours.

Leaf blowers, two-cycle models being the loudest, generate high intensity and high frequency noise that can lead to operator hearing loss, as well as multiple harmful physiological and psychological responses to the operator or bystanders. Current county noise ordinances are limited to decibel level violations that are unenforceable in practice. A specific ban on two-cycle leaf blowers would be an effective and enforceable ordinance.

California Assembly Bill 32 of 2006 mandates reduction of harmful greenhouse emissions. San Luis Obispo County must adopt measures to meet emission reduction requirements.

It has been demonstrated manual rake or broom cleanup is nearly as time efficient and effective as leaf blowers, without causing harmful air or noise hazards. When a leaf blower is necessary, an electric model is the preferred option due to no exhaust emissions. Four-cycle gasoline powered leaf blowers should be limited to areas of greater than 150 feet from an electric power source, or when a power source is not available.

Consumer Reports Magazine. (September 2007). Power blower, more punch for plug- ins.

Consumer Search. (September 2009). Leaf blower: Full report. http://www.consumersearch.com/leaf-blowers/review.

Orange County Grand Jury. (1999). Leaf blower pollution hazards in Orange County. http://www.ocgrandjury.org/pdfs/leafblow.pdf 9. City of San Luis Obispo pamphlet. Using power blowers in San Luis Obispo: A short course in power blower laws and etiquette.