Leaf blowers are a major source of noise, health hazard and air pollution in our neighborhoods! Every day, we are subjected to the deafening roar of these devices, disrupting the peace of our communities and affecting the well-being of our families and nature. The impact is not one of annoyance—it spans a range of serious health and environmental concerns. The low-frequency, high-decibel noise from gas-powered leaf blowers (often exceeding 100 dB near the operator) over-activates the amygdala. This triggers an endocrine response, flooding the bloodstream with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which elevates heart rate, increases anxiety, and disrupts sleep. The brain interprets loud, sudden, and repetitive engine noise as an environmental threat. This sparks a “fight or flight" response, signaling the adrenal glands to dump cortisol into the body.

The low-frequency rumble of a leaf blower can travel up to 800 feet and easily penetrate walls and closed windows. This continuous exposure keeps cortisol levels high, even if you are indoors or blocks away!

Leaf blowers have been shown to inject toxic chemicals into the air that stay airborne for hours. According to the Institute for Climate Change, Environmental Health, and Exposomics (CCEHE) these increase the rates of “cancer, heart disease, and dementia.”

The incessant noise from leaf blowers contributes to anxiety and constant source of stress among residents, posing a threat to our health. The high decibels can lead to hearing impairment, especially concerning for the elderly, young children and animals, who are more vulnerable to loud sounds. On the environmental front, these machines emit harmful pollutants into the air, exacerbating chronic respiratory issues such as asthma and leading to poor air quality which affects everyone, including our pets and local wildlife.

Negative impacts to humans, animals and the environment include high anxiety, hearing impairment, chronic respiratory issues, cardiovascular issues, nervous system issues and decreased survival rate of trees and plants.  It is recommended that they be banned in the to preserve our health and well being.

Furthermore, leaf blowers contribute to soil erosion and water loss, fundamental resources we need to maintain a healthy ecosystem. The powerful airflow degrades soil structure and adversely impacts the survival rate of trees and plants, crucial for our landscape and wellbeing.

LEAF BLOWER POLLUTION HAZARDS IN ORANGE COUNTY 
Orange County Grand Jury - 

https://www.ocgrandjury.org/sites/jury/files/2023-08/leafblow.pdf

The widespread daily usage of two-cycle gasoline engine leaf blowers in the cities and unincorporated areas presents a health hazard to all citizens of Orange County.

SUMMARY
The hazards are four-fold:

- Toxic exhaust fumes and emissions are created by gas-powered leaf blowers. Exhaust pollution per leaf blower per hour is the equivalent of the amount of smog from 17 cars driven one hour and is localized in the area of blower usage.

- The high-velocity air jets used in blowing leaves whip up dust and pollutants.
The particulate matter (PM) swept into the air by blowing leaves is composed of dust, and pollutants.
The particulate matter (PM) swept into the air by blowing leaves is composed of dust, fecal matter, pesticides, fungi, chemicals, fertilizers, spores, and street dirt which consists of lead and organic and elemental carbon. About five pounds of PM per leaf blower per hour are swept into the air and take hours to settle.

- The quantity of pollution products that are injected into county air.
The total amount of pollutants injected into the environment by blower usage in the county is significant. The ARB calculates that leaf blowers inject 2.11 tons of combustion pollutants per day into Orange County air. Leaf blowers in the County sweep twenty tons per day of small size particulate matter into the air.

- Blower engines generate high noise levels.
Gasoline-powered leaf blower noise is a danger to the health of the blower operator and an annoyance and health hazard to the non-consenting citizens in the area of usage.

In light of the evidence, the Grand Jury determined the health hazards citizens are exposed to by the use of leaf blowers outweigh the questionable economic benefit blowers may bring to the cities and the County. The Grand Jury recommends that the cities, school districts, community college districts, and the County cease using gas powered blowers in their maintenance and cleanup operations.

In Irvine, California, the use of gas-powered edgers, hedge trimmers, string trimmers, and chainsaws is fully banned for residents and small businesses. This ordinance was officially phased in to eliminate noise and emissions.

California Cities with Complete Gas and Electric Blower Ban:
Del Mar, Hermosa Beach, Laguna Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica

- Cities with Complete Gas Blower Ban:
Belvedere, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Carmel, Claremont, Indian Wells, Lawndale, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Malibu, Mill Valley, Newport Beach, Ojai, Palo Alto, Piedmont, Santa Barbara, Solana.

- Healthy & Affordable Alternatives:
Rake; broom; push lawn sweeper; allow leaves to biodegrade to increase soil nutrients, retain moisture & prevent erosion.

The time has come to consider the detrimental effects and take action towards ending this unnecessary disruption. A simple solution lies in transitioning to environmentally friendly alternatives such as rakes and brooms that promote a quieter and healthier environment. Cities with enacted bans and are reaping the benefits of cleaner healthier air and quieter streets.

By adopting similar measures, Tustin can lead with foresight and protect its residents' health, air quality and the local environment and urge the City Council to put an immediate ordinance in place to ban the use of leaf blowers within the city limits!

Please join in making Tustin a better place for all of us to live. Sign this petition to show your support!