The village of Cold Spring deserves to be free from noisy and polluting gas-powered leaf blowers. These machines are hazardous to human health and terrible for the environment. The 2-stroke engines in gas-leaf blowers release 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. Additionally, these machines emit large quantities of toxic air pollutants, including fine particulates, smog forming pollutants, benzene and other known carcinogens that adversely impact the health of the public.

Gas-powered leaf blowers are especially dangerous to the workers who operate them. Nearly all gas-powered blowers emit levels of noise that are considered dangerous, and most are loud enough to cause hearing damage after just minutes of exposure. This level of noise creates physiological stress that can cause adverse effects on human cardiovascular health, immune systems, and cognitive development. In addition, the low frequency noise gas blowers produce can travel longer distances than other noises at the same decibel level and can penetrate windows and walls, which makes these machines particularly disruptive to our neighborhoods and schools.

Studies have shown that there are no negative economic impacts to landscape companies in places where gas-powered leaf blowers are restricted. For those opposed to using rakes; better, safer, quieter, and healthier alternatives are readily available. Leaf blower manufacturers now produce battery-powered electric blowers which are economical to operate, and equally effective. They are much quieter and emit a frequency sound that neither travels as far nor penetrates walls and windows the way Gas Blower noise does. Battery-powered blowers are now commonly used by homeowners as well as commercial landscape operators. They emit none of the dangerous air pollutants that gas blowers produce and are much easier to maintain. 

Sign this petition to be part of the solution and end excessive noise pollution and environmental impacts from gas-powered leaf blowers in our village! This petition is not without precedent. Hundreds of municipalities in the United States have restricted the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, including Larchmont which approved a total ban last year! Please sign this petition to protect Cold Spring's environment, public health, and tranquility!