Resources
More Information on Emissions from Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
Tsai, J.H., Chen, Y.R., Chen, S.J., Lin, S.L., Huang, K.L., Lin, C.C. and Chiu, J.Y. (2020). Characteristics of Emissions from a Portable Two-stroke Gasoline Engine. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 20: 630-642. link here
Maddineni, Yashwanth Chowdary, "Investigation of Particulate Matter Size, Concentration and Mass Emissions from Small Handheld 2-Stroke Spark Ignition Engines" (2016). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 6135. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/6135 [for MS in Mechanical Engineering]
Banks, J.L. and McConnell, R. (2015). National emissions from lawn and garden equipment. Presented at the International Emissions Inventory Conference, San Diego, April 16. pdf here
Shipchandler, R. (2008). VOC emissions from gas powered leaf blowers in the Chicago metropolitan region. Waste Management and Research Center Report. Illinois Waste Management and Research Center, TN08-093.
https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/3586
John Volckens, David A. Olson, Michael D. Hays. Carbonaceous species emitted from handheld two-stroke engines. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, Atmospheric Environment 42 (2008) 1239–1248 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231007009430
Gabele, P A. Characterization of Emissions from Hand-Held Two-Stroke Engines. Presented at 93rd Annual AWMA Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, June 18-22, 2000. https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_report.cfm?Lab=NERL&dirEntryId=63712
California Air Resources Board, Small Engine Fact Sheet here
Health Impacts from Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
Noise
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Too Loud! For Too Long! Loud noises damage hearing
Link here
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: How Do We Protect Our Ears?
Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Occupational Noise Exposure
Environmental Noise Pollution in the United States: Developing an Effective Public Health Response
Toxins
Exposure and Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (pdf)
Particulate Matter Exposure and Preterm Birth
Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter
Particulate Matter Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease
American Cancer Society, Benzene and Cancer Risk
Link here
A good resource
https://www.quietmontclair.org/research#noise
It presents the noise, toxic pollution and health impacts in a concise way, with numerous supporting links.
Links to Additional Information
Noise
The National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) recommendation for noise
CDC Fact Sheet on Causes of Hearing Loss
Pollution
Leaf Blowers in Washington, DC - A Fact Sheet
Quiet Clean Washington, DC - GPLB Health Issues
Cost of Electric Leaf Blowers
Transitioning to Battery Electric Landscaping Equipment - Town of Lexington with AGZA
Consumer Reports Leaf Blower Overview and Recommendations
Reconsidering Landscape Practices
Information on mulching leaves for homeowners and landscapers
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation explains why leaving the leaves is important for supporting pollinators,
which, in turn, support birds and wildlife.
List of Landscapers who don’t use gas-powered leaf blowers
Local landscapers who are using electric equipment.
Garden behind Town Hall
