News Flash

Imagine taking a walk down the tree-lined streets of our town. Perhaps you are with a friend, walking a child to school, enjoying time with a pet, or simply taking a moment for yourself. Often, you will hear them before you see them: gas-powered leaf blowers. When used on multiple properties at the same time, their noise, dust, and exhaust can be difficult to avoid.

While leaf blowers are a common part of landscape maintenance, a growing body of research suggests that gas-powered models can have broader impacts worth considering, including effects on personal health, neighborhood well-being, and the environment.

Health and Environmental Considerations

In recent years, studies have drawn attention to emissions from gas-powered leaf blowers (GPLBs), particularly those that use two-stroke engines. These engines are widely used in lawn equipment but are less efficient than many newer alternatives.

Research has found the following:

In 2011, engineers at Edmunds estimated that operating a two-stroke gas-powered leaf blower for 30 minutes could emit pollution comparable to driving a Ford F-150 Raptor from Texas to Alaska. (2)

The strong airflow produced by GPLBs can stir up fine particles such as dust, mold, leaf litter, yard chemicals, and animal waste. Once airborne, these particles may aggravate asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions. (3)

Depending on weather conditions, disturbed pollutants can linger in the air for hours or even days. (4)

Nearly all leaf blowers and line trimmers use two-stroke gasoline engines, which emit higher levels of hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). (5)

Up to 30 percent of the fuel mixture in two-stroke engines may be incompletely burned and released into the atmosphere. Incomplete combustion also produces carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, both of which contribute to climate change. (6)

Fine particulates and aerosolized VOCs are linked to respiratory illness and are of particular concern for children. (7)

Pollution from fine particulates contributes to millions of premature deaths worldwide each year and is associated with a range of health issues, including cancer, reproductive harm, and mental health impacts. (1)

In 2020, lawn and garden equipment in the United States emitted more than 21,800 tons of fine particulate pollution, an amount comparable to emissions from approximately 234 million typical cars. (1)

Noise Impacts

Noise is another commonly cited concern associated with gas-powered leaf blowers. The World Health Organization recommends daytime noise levels below 55 decibels (dB). A worker operating a gas-powered leaf blower may be exposed to noise levels of 90 to 100 dB.

Because of their pitch and low-frequency sound, leaf blower noise can travel long distances and penetrate walls and windows. A single leaf blower may impact multiple neighboring properties, even at distances of several hundred feet. (9)

Research has linked prolonged or repeated exposure to high noise levels with:

Increased stress hormone levels (3)

Sleep disruption (7)

Hearing loss (7)

Reduced academic performance in children, with more than 20 studies showing that noise can negatively affect learning outcomes (9)

Children are especially vulnerable to long-term hearing damage and tinnitus resulting from repeated noise exposure. (10)

Unprotected exposure to noise levels above 65 dB has been shown to increase blood pressure, elevate adrenaline levels, and damage hearing. (10)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that noise can degrade quality of life by impairing communication and social interaction, reducing work accuracy, and creating stress and frustration that may persist even after the noise has stopped. (11)

Practical, Lower-Impact Alternatives

Many communities are exploring ways to reduce these impacts while still maintaining safe and attractive outdoor spaces.

Leave the leaves where possible. In garden beds and around trees, taking care not to pile leaves directly against trunks, fallen leaves provide valuable nutrients for soil and create habitat for pollinators such as butterflies, moths, and fireflies. On sidewalks and walkways where leaves may pose a hazard, leaves can be raked and relocated rather than blown. (12)

Consider electric options. Plug-in and battery-powered electric leaf blowers are now widely available, effective, and significantly quieter than gas-powered models. They also produce no on-site exhaust emissions. (7)

Ask landscaping providers about their equipment. Many companies already offer electric alternatives, and customer preferences can help encourage broader adoption of cleaner, quieter tools.

Moving Forward Together

Thoughtful choices by homeowners, renters, and landscaping professionals can help balance property maintenance with shared community health and comfort. As technology continues to improve, quieter and cleaner equipment makes it easier to care for outdoor spaces while reducing impacts on neighbors and the environment.

Sources

1.  Lawn Care Goes Electric 
2.  Leaf Blower’s Emissions Dirtier than High-Performance Pick-Up Trucks, Edmunds 
3.  Leaf Blowers Leave Lungs Vulnerable, Respiratory Health Association 
4.  The Unintended Consequences of Leaf Blowers 
5.  Air Pollution: Asia’s Two-Stroke Engine Dilemma 
6.  It’s Time to Ditch Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers, Moms Clean Air Force 
7.  Volatile Organic Compounds in the Home, American Lung Association 
8.  Occupational Hazards Landscape Professionals Need to Watch For 
9.  Does Noise Affect Learning? A Review on Cognitive Performance in Children 
10.  Gasoline Engine Leaf Blower Health Hazards and Environmental Harm 
11.  Noise: A Health Problem, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
12.  This Fall, Leave the Leaves, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Additional Resources

1. Citizens for a Quieter Sacramento
2.  Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, University of Pennsylvania 
3.  Quiet Clean Philly