The Verona Environmental Commission has made recommendations to the Township Council regarding gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, and more specifically to commercially-delivered services that employ gas-powered leaf blowers (GLBs). 

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Recommended Restrictions:

Gas-powered leaf blowers produce excessive, nuisance-level noise and toxic, carcinogenic emissions. Their use presents deleterious effects on residents’ social welfare, health, peace, and quality of life. It is for
these reasons that the VEC recommends that limitations for use be established, by Ordinance.

1. Restricting the use of commercially-delivered services using gas-powered leaf blowers to the following hours:

a) Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

b) Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

c) Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2. Restricting the use of commercially-delivered services using gas-powered leaf blowers to the following seasonally-appropriate months:

a) March 1 through June 30.

b) October 1 through December 15.

3. The VEC recommends that all commercial GLBs used within the Township be fitted with a properly functioning muffler.

4. The VEC recognizes that certain weather conditions may
allow for short-term, emergency, suspension of Items 1 and 2 listed above.

Background:

Toxic Emissions

According to the EPA, gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, such as GLBs, have been found to emit high levels of toxic exhaust and carcinogenic emissions. They contribute substantially to nonroad emissions and to a disproportionately large share of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and fine PM (particulate matter) emissions. The GLB carbon monoxide emissions include the four top ranking cancer-causing compounds (Benzene, 1,3 butadiene, and formaldehyde), which are directly and causally linked to lymphomas, leukemias, and other types of cancer. The ozone formed by VOCs and fine PM cause and/or contribute to early death, heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer.

Besides their toxic emissions, GLBs raise dust from the ground and streetscapes that includes lead, organic carbon, and elemental carbon. According to the American Lung Association, the lead levels are a concern due to their great acute toxicity, while elemental carbon usually contains several adsorbed carcinogens. Often, when a GLB is being used, a powerfully propelled dust cloud is produced, which spreads particles throughout large areas into breathing zones before finally resettling.

Noise Pollution

The CDC also lists a great number of adverse health effects associated with noise pollution, including tinnitus, hearing loss, the degradation of the quality of life, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, psychological and mental health effects, sleep disruption, and cognitive impairment. According to the CDC, hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in the US.