Americans used nearly 3 billion gallons of gasoline running lawn and garden equipment in 2018. That is the equivalent of 6 million passenger cars running for one year. (DOT)

Transitioning the lawn care industry away from fossil fuels and highly polluting gas leaf blowers is the only way we will reach our climate goals and provide healthy, livable communities and safe public spaces in the U.S. 

That means eliminating the sale and use of gas leaf blowers. Manufacturers have started to transition, with brands like Makita vowing to go fully electric by 2022. All industry players need to get on board, as well as producing only electric devices which do not operate at dangerously high decibel levels. 

The gas-powered leaf blower is responsible for a significant amount of fossil fuel use, as well as noise and air pollution. Our cars and trucks require strict emissions testing and regulation. The 2-stroke engines in gas leaf blowers (GLBs) lacks emission control components, releasing 300 times the levels of hydrocarbons as vehicles on the road. According to the California Air Resources Board, running one for 1 hour is equivalent to the pollutants released by driving a car 1100 miles. 

According to the NY Department of Conservation, leaf blowers push 300 to 700 cubic feet of air per minute at 150 to 280mph. That is hurricane-force winds, creating dust that contains dangerous particulate matter, pollen and mold, animal feces, heavy metals, and chemicals from herbicides and pesticides. On the issue of noise, even new gas-powered leaf blowers generate noise levels over 105 dB at the operator's ears. Cumulative exposure to this level of noise can cause permanent hearing loss. 

Studies have shown that there are no negative economic impacts to landscape companies in places where GLBs are restricted. People without power or privilege are being asked to use this equipment on a daily basis, causing them to sacrifice their future health. Unfortunately, many of these workers are not aware of OSHA regulations requiring the proper use of PPE. 

Sign this petition to be part of the solution to end excessive noise pollution and environmental impacts from leaf blowers, and to regain our quiet communities one at a time. Hundreds of municipalities in the United States have restricted their use, such as Washington D.C will not allow their use at any time after January 1, 2022, and the state of California will end the sale of GLBs by 2024.

Please consider signing this petition today and making your concerns known in the comments section.