Opinion: Leaf Blowers a Problem

To the editor:

Concerned residents across Orangetown raised their voices last year against the misuse, and abusive use, of leaf blowers.

In response, local environmental committees researched the machines and made some startling discoveries. They learned that leaf blower noise could cause hearing loss; that the gas-powered versions were extremely polluting; that the machines blew dust, animal waste, fertilizers, pesticides, and even toxic chemicals into the air that we breathe; and that the devices harmed the landscape by desiccating plants with hurricane force winds, and by removing valuable topsoil.

After learning about the harmful aspects of leaf blowers, the committees researched community responses to leaf blowers across the country. They found that hundreds of communities had already adopted measures to limit their use—including over 15 municipalities in Westchester County. Moreover, they found that at least eight states had implemented lawn equipment exchange programs, whereby people could exchange their extremely polluting gas-powered leaf blowers (and lawn mowers) for units that were much safer to use. The programs, which offered the replacement units at a fraction of their retail costs, were funded by state and/or federal clean air grants.

Subsequent to unearthing the shocking facts about leaf blowers, the committees began a public education effort about the devices, that included a request for feedback. The feedback  showed that people across Orangetown wanted parameters set around leaf blower use. As a result, the Orangetown Environmental Committee and Nyack Environmental Committee raised the matter to their town boards.

Concurrently, committee members investigated the possibility of obtaining a grant from New York State that would subsidize a leaf blower exchange.

In addition, the committees also obtained letters of support for leaf blower limitations from prominent medical authorities and health advocates, such as the American Lung Association, The Children’s Environmental Health Center of the Hudson Valley, and the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit of Mount Sinai Hospital.

The town boards now have the responsibility of enacting ordinances to protect Orangetown residents from the ear-damaging noise, the noxious emissions, and the harmful airborne particulate matter that result from these devices.

While the boards deliberate the ordinances, the committees will continue to work on educating the public about the dangers of leaf blowers, and about device options and alternatives to using these machines. Listed below are some of the important facts that residents need to know.

FACTS ABOUT LEAF BLOWERS

• A typical gas-powered leaf blower used for one hour emits the same amount of pollutants into the air as 17 cars—each driven for one hour.
• Electric models do not directly pollute the air and are less noisy than gas models.
• Vacuuming leaves, which can be done with many electric leaf blowers, is far safer than blowing them.
• The particulate matter churned up by leaf blowers stays airborne for several hours.
• Mulching fallen leaves and distributing them in the landscape are beneficial to its health. The leaves turn into nourishing compost. (See www.leaveleavesalone.org)
• Orangetown would save tens of thousands of dollars annually in leaf pick-up costs if residents mulched their leaves instead of bagging them. 

Orangetown residents (in the incorporated villages of Nyack, South Nyack, Piermont, and Grand View-on-Hudson, and in all of the hamlets) are invited to add their names to those that have already requested board action by going to www.quietlawns-healthyorangetown.blogspot.com and by clicking on the link to the online petition that appears on it.

The environmental committees of Orangetown and Nyack are working to promote the health and safety of Orangetown residents and of its environment.

These committees are comprised of volunteers who donate some of their time and energy in order to support the towns and villages in which they live. More people are needed. Please consider joining your local environmental committee. 

—Anne Putko, Piermont