O’Brien
As a Town Meeting member, I voted for the seasonal gasoline-powered leaf blower ban because I felt it provided a balance between protecting those with health issues and the economic interests of the landscape industry. I feel home owners and businesses are protected because quality alternative leaf blowers are available.
As someone who has watched family members suffer through acute summer months on oxygen and nebulizers, I thought the ban could provide a small incremental respite from the aerial assault they receive during the summer months. A recent California test which compared 2 and 4 stroke leaf blowers against a Ford F150 pickup truck showed gasoline leaf blowers emit considerable more noxious fumes than the truck. The four-stroke leaf blower kicked out 6.8 times more NOx, 13.5 times more CO and more than 36 times NMHC than the F150 truck. The two-stroke leaf blower was worse still, generating 23 times the CO and nearly 300 times more NMHC than the pickup truck. Besides those with lung ailments I also have concerns for workers who are constantly exposed to gasoline spills and close proximity to the high emission from these devices.
http://www.insideline.com/features/emissions-test-car-vs-truck-vs-leaf-blower.html
Alternative leaf blowers exist and are improving. New more energy dense Lithium ion batteries combined with efficient electric motors have already revolutionized hand tools. Battery powered reciprocating and circular saws once thought underpowered and worthless are now the choice of many contractors. Similarly, lithium ion battery powered leaf blowers have increased horsepower and runtimes and can charge up quite quickly. Another recent alternative to gasoline leaf blower is the Propane leaf blower. Propane leaf blowers produce much fewer emissions, are quiet, cheaper to fuel and in many cases are a greener alternative to electric or battery leaf blowers. While battery and propane leaf blowers may not match the performance of gas leaf blowers they are more than adequate to blow fertilizer and lawn clippings. When leaves come down in large numbers in the fall the gas powered leaf blower ban is lifted.
Propane could become the fuel of choice for construction and landscape equipment. It is a clean abundant domestic fuel. It has incredible power densities and Texas research shows it is superior for lawn mowers. Propane powered lawn mowers can even be operated during Ozone Action Days without being in violation of EPA Clean Air requirements. They provide significant fuel savings over gas or diesel mowers, extend maintenance intervals, increase engine life, reduce Toxic emissions by 80%, reduce Particulate emissions by 60%, operate safer than gasoline and eliminate spillage. If propane leaf blowers show a similar record as lawnmowers then a propane leaf blower could pay for itself in short time.
Most compromises are never perfect but I believe the seasonal gas powered leaf ban is a good one and I intend to vote to support the seasonal ban.
Andy O’Brien
Town Meeting Member Precinct 16
