City Encourages Residents to Exchange Leaf Blowers

With South Pasadena's leaf blower ban officially going into effect May 11, you may have noticed fewer residents using the devices around town. For those of you who haven't made the switch yet, the city you to do so tomorrow at the Southern California Air Quality Management District Leafblower Exchange. The program allows residents to exchange their old leaf blowers for low-emission ones at the reduced price of $200 (originally $500). South Pasadena is one of approximately 20 California cities implementing the ban. Here's why:

• A leaf blower causes as much smog as 17 cars, according to the American Lung Association.
• An average residential leaf blower produces 145 times more hydrocarbons, 7.5 times more carbon monoxide, and 11 times more particulate matter in one hour than a light duty vehicle driven at 30 mph, the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported.
• Leaf blowers' engines can disturb dust, fecal matter, pesticides, fungi, chemicals, fertilizers, spores and street dirt; these particles can consist of lead, organic and elemental carbon, according to the California EPA. 
• The World Health Organization recommends 55 dBA or less for general daytime outdoor noise levels and 45 dBA to meet sleep criteria. Leaf blowers reach around 65 dBA.
• A leaf blower creates 2.6 pounds of PM10 dust emissions every hour in use, according to the California Air Resources Board (CARB).