I lived in San Mateo for years, but my health deteriorated due to the pollution caused by gas-powered leaf blowers. I reached out to the city council, hoping for action. However, my pleas fell on indifferent ears, and I was eventually compelled to relocate for the sake of my health.

I am not alone in this struggle, and I want to ensure future residents do not face the same hardships. Gas-powered leaf blowers produce a pernicious cocktail of pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, and hydrocarbons, posing risks to public health. Studies from the California Air Resources Board confirm that these emissions contribute significantly to air pollution, more so than a car (Scientific American, 2018). Those emissions are held close to the ground in the middle of our neighborhoods, harming community members long after landscaping crews are gone. Besides the health aspects, transitioning to less harmful tools aligns with our broader environmental goals (San Mateo Climate Action Plan, page 94).

These tools are most dangerous to landscaping workers. They face serious long term health risks, such as respiratory disease and cancer. Modern safety gear has proven inadequate, and if it is available to workers at all. This is an environmental justice issue, and the San Mateo government should step up to protect these vulnerable workers. 

Gas-powered leaf blowers were invented in the 1970s, using 1890s technology. The world has long since moved on, and electric-powered tools are available from many major manufacturers. These are proven to work for anything from small residential lots to multi-acre properties. 

The upfront investment in electric leaf blowers is significant, but many landscaping businesses already have electric-powered leaf blowers in compliance with gas-powered leaf blower bans in Burlingame, Hillsborough, Menlo Park and other nearby cities. In addition, electric-powered leaf blower operating costs are so much lower than those of gas-powered leaf blowers that the investment pays off in a matter of months. Finally, the City of San Mateo offers a substantial electric-leaf blower rebate. 

A mandated transition to electric-powered leaf blowers is a benefit to our entire community, especially landscaping workers. Therefore, I call upon the San Mateo community and city council to ensure a swift and just transition to electric-powered leaf blowers, which are substantially quieter, cleaner, and healthier for our community. These greener technologies, while ensuring worker safety, will significantly reduce noise and air pollution, contributing positively to public health and the environment.

My cohorts and I in Quiet Clean San Mateo (quietcleansanmateo.org) urge the City Council to put the welfare of its citizens and the quality of our environment first in this vital decision. Please join us in asking San Mateo to make a change for our health, for the sake of our workers and for the future of the environment. Sign this petition today.