The use of gasoline engine leaf blowers in the city of Kirkland is on my mind. It presents a health hazard to all citizens.
All gasoline-powered leaf blowers create emissions and toxic exhaust fumes. Exhaust pollution from a typical gas-powered leaf blower over one hour is equal to one car driven 200 miles in a confined area. Gasoline leaf blowers pollute the air with harmful greenhouse gases and contaminants from emissions, while also disbursing irritating odorous substances, and harmful fugitive dust into the air.
The high-velocity air jets used in blowing leaves, move dust, dirt and matter. The particulate matter swept into the air includes many unwanted and toxic air pollutants, including carcinogens. Various pollutants include dust, pesticides, chemicals, fertilizers, fungi, street dirt and fecal matter. Approximately five pounds of particulate matter per leaf blower per hour are blown into the air and can take hours or even days to settle.
Leaf blowers generate unhealthy high noise levels. Leaf blowers generate a decibel level that can cause permanent hearing loss to the operator and an annoyance to anyone nearby.
Unaware citizens, such as children, the homebound and seniors frequently must endure the localized air and noise pollution of leaf blowers. Though electric blowers avoid gasoline emission dangers entirely, they still disburse irritating and harmful fugitive dust, particular matter and air velocity noise.
Considering the evidence, the Legislature should conclude that the health hazards residents are exposed to from leaf blowers outweigh the possible benefit they provide.
The Legislature should recommend that the city of Kirkland initiate action against the use of all leaf blowers, both gasoline and electric-powered. The Legislature needs to create a law that bans the use of gas leaf blowers in order to prevent air pollution, while reducing emissions to the extent reasonably possible, and maintain such levels of air quality, as it will protect human health and safety.
Iris Brede, Kirkland