Ken
Spaeth, MD, MPH
Assistant
Professor
Hofstra
School of Health Sciences
April 18,
2017
To Whom It
May Concern:
I am
writing in support of proposals to restrict gasoline leaf blowers (GLBs). As an
internist and occupational medicine physician who is trained in public health,
I recognize that gasoline-powered
lawn equipment - particularly the leaf blower - is extremely harmful to health
and to the environment. Many institutions and municipalities in New York and
elsewhere have implemented restrictions on gasoline leaf blowers without any
serious economic or other consequences. Some of the organizations which have already come out in support of such
regulations include the Medical Society of the State of NY, the Long Island
Chapter of the American Lung Assoc., American Cancer Society, Asthma Coalition,
Breast Cancer Coalition, Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment, Sierra Club,
Audubon Society, Grass Roots Environmental, and others.
Gasoline-powered leaf blowers (GLBs) pose
multiple health and environmental hazards. The use of leaf blowers for cleanup and
routine landscape maintenance is exposing us all unnecessarily to pollutants
and noise. Gas leaf blowers are
primarily 2-stroke engines which have no emissions controls, are inefficient at
burning of fuel, and are highly polluting.
Americans spill 17 million gallons
of gasoline each year filling lawn equipment. That’s more than the 1989 Exxon
Valdez oil spill in Alaska. Gas
lawn equipment is poised soon to surpass cars as the worst air polluters in California,
according to recent research.
There is
good medical evidence implicating the emissions spewed forth and particulates
blown up by the leaf blowers in increased risks of early death, heart attack,
stroke, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, some cancers, and other serious health conditions. Children, seniors, those with chronic illness,
and landscape workers are at greatest risk.
When compared to an average large car, one
hour of GLB use emits 498 times as much hydrocarbons, 49 times as much
particulate matter and 26 times as much carbon monoxide.
The major
health and environmental hazards of gas leaf blowers are:
· Exhaust pollution
· Fine
particulate pollution
· Noise
pollution
· Environmental
degradation, including water pollution and small animal habitat destruction
Airborne pollutants released
or churned up the GLBs include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - Benzene, 1,3
butadiene, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. These
are HAPS: Hazardous Air Pollutants (defined by the US EPA as pollutants that
cause or may cause cancer or other serious health effects.) Also released are nitrogen oxides,
particulate matter, which are considered “Criteria Pollutants” (harmful to public health and the
environment). Even low level exposures have been associated with respiratory
and central nervous system effects. GLB pollutants such as hydrocarbon vapors,
nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide react in the presence of heat and sunlight
to form ground-level ozone, the major component of smog, and a known respiratory
irritant and risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Also released is carbon dioxide which is a
potent Greenhouse Gas. Fine particulate matter (under
2.5 microns, which easily get into the lungs and even in to the blood stream)
has been linked to all-cause premature death, heart attacks, strokes,
congestive heart failure, and lung disease – including asthma attacks - and can
increase the severity of chronic lung disease in the elderly. Two-stroke engines account for the vast
majority of fine particulate pollution in landscape maintenance. This particulate matter remains
suspended in the air for hours or even days and is too small to be visible. Noise from leaf blowers are orders of
magnitude – since decibels are on a logarithmic scale - beyond those deemed
safe by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Noise is more than just an annoyance; exposure to constant or high levels of
noise can cause countless adverse health effects. These include stress-related
illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep
disruption, and lost productivity. Studies have shown that excess noise in and
around hospitals interferes with healing.
Other research demonstrates that children in classrooms abutting noisy
outside areas do worse on standardized tests than similar children in
classrooms in quieter areas. The EPA states that “noise degrades quality of life by impairing communication and social
interaction; reducing the accuracy of work, particularly complex tasks; and
creating stressful levels of frustration and aggravation that last even when
the noise has ceased.” Environmental
degradation
o
The high velocity air jets of leaf blowers can
destroy nests and small animal habitats; desiccate pollen, sap, and other
natural plant substances; and injure or destroy birds, small mammals, and
beneficial insects.
o
Leaf blowers damage plants, remove beneficial
topsoil and mulch, desiccate and compact soil, diminish plant health and
contribute to the spread of invasives. This increases the dependence on use of
fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.
o
Landscape workers or homeowners frequently blow
debris into roads, where it can enter storm drains and end up polluting our
waters.
Alternatives and Common Concerns
Alternatives
include commercial grade lithium ion battery or other electrical equipment, or
rakes and brooms. Landscaping businesses have been shown not to suffer
financially if they trade gas equipment for these other choices. Newer commercial grade lithium-ion
battery blowers contain less toxic metals than other types of batteries
which may contain lead or cadmium, they are generally categorized as
non-hazardous waste and can be recycled. Li-ion battery elements are considered
safe for incinerators and landfills.
For all these public health reasons, I concur with all the health and
environmental organizations which support restrictions or bans on the use of
gasoline leaf blowers, and believe it is a win-win effort for all.
Sincerely,
Ken
Spaeth, MD, MPH
Assistant
Professor
Hofstra
School of Health Sciences
