Please restrict the leaf blowers use when air quality is unhealthy. There are compelling public health reasons to not add to pollutant burden at such times. There is no safe standard for inhaled dust; health impacts rise in proportion to all concentrations. PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles cause a wide variety of serious health problems; and PM 2.5, absorbed into the blood, is known to cause debilitating diseases in virtually all organ systems. That landscape leaf-blowing dramatically raises local pollutant loads is a matter of everyday observation, unnecessarily increasing health risks locally, and in the aggregate to the general population.
This ordinance would also reduce VOC and other pollutants associated with internal combustion, and would mitigate the psychological stress of blowers’ piercing noise at a time when citizens are subject to other inescapable environmental stress. Please join the many other California jurisdictions that have taken this common-sense step.
The time is now to take action on leaf blowers. While I support this proposed ban, it is limited in application. We need to take action to protect workers and their customers from the polluted air and noise that results from gas powered leaf blowers.
It is time to put constraints on leaf blowers and all other gas-powered landscaping equipment for both health and climate reasons. Blowing more material into the air during already-dangerous air quality days is a no-brainer. Yes, definitely ban blowers when the AQI is above 100.
Equally important is to start the transition to all electric equipment, as recommended by the Mayors' Climate Commission. This transition will require financial support and equity considerations, since many of those who use gas-powered leaf blowers, etc. professionally are low income workers. But we can afford that transition by prioritizing the health and welfare of residents and workers, and taking climate impact into account for all city decisions.
I support the proposed ordinance but what really needs to happen is a complete ban on gas-powered blowers. Some 20 California cities have gone so far as to ban any type of gas, electric or battery-powered leaf blowers - some since 1976. Why is Sacramento so entrenched in allowing the use of gas-powered leaf blowers? Studies indicate they pollute the air with the engine releasing 100% of its tailpipe emissions. Lets make our city a more peaceful, healthier place by not using gas-powered leaf blowers.
Having observed repeated leaf blower use in the worst of the smoke compromised air quality, it was evident that entrainment of road dust and aerial smoke was widespread and harmful both to the operator and the public walking in our neighborhood. We restrict fireplace smoke on bad air days and there is no reason not to restrict other forms of pollution (aerial 2.5 dust) on days with bad air. I suffered low grade fever during the hazardous air period in September of this year. Research showed that exposure to excessive 2.5PM enters the blood through the lungs and the immune system response is similar to COVID e.g low grade fever and lung soreness. If the phrase "Black lives Matter" means anything it means protecting those who operate this machinery who are largely black and brown folks with no or inadequate lung protection. The noise from this equipment routinely violates the city noise ordinance as well. Thank you s/ Harold M. Thomas (retired public prosecutor)
This proposed ordinance does not go far enough. In this era of fossil fuel addiction, which is causing the approaching climate chaos, there is no good reason whatsoever to use engines and motors to accomplish tasks that are well within human muscular capability. http://motherearthhome.blogspot.com/
I am in strong support of a ban on all blowers when the AQI is above 100, and would support a complete ban on gas-powered lawn equipment. In past weeks, I have witnessed numerous landscaping workers and homeowners blowing on days when the air quality was rated "unhealthy" or "hazardous" by the SMAQMD. This is absolutely unacceptable - especially when the folks typically performing the tasks are hired, often not wearing protective equipment, and are performing a task that is not worth putting their health at risk.
The connection between poor respiratory health and contracting Covid-19 is clear, and the risk to Latinx communities is even higher. It is most often Latinx populations who comprise the landscaping companies. Their health should be prioritized in this community, now more than ever. Thus, it is critical this ordinance pass, and place the largest burden on employers, not the landscaping companies, by imposing penalties on the property owner where the blowing takes place.
I support the proposed ban on leaf blowers. Currently this equipment compounds air quality problems in Midtown Sacramento where I live. As a daily walker and bike rider I am constantly confronted with clouds of dust and particulates being blown into public streets. Often this is going on from both sides of a street. Besides being a safety hazard for pedestrians and bike riders this blowing practice impacts air quality. My eyes and lungs are impacted nearly every day by the use of this equipment as I make my way around Sacramento. I now have allergy problems that are made worse by being exposed to the dust and particles being blown around in public spaces. I have lived in Midtown for over 15 years without owning any gas powered equipment. A broom, rake and green waste containers are more than adequate for handling the accumulation of leaves and debris that come with living under our wonderful urban forest. Please take this action to protect our air quality and health.
Please restrict the leaf blowers use when air quality is unhealthy. There are compelling public health reasons to not add to pollutant burden at such times. There is no safe standard for inhaled dust; health impacts rise in proportion to all concentrations. PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles cause a wide variety of serious health problems; and PM 2.5, absorbed into the blood, is known to cause debilitating diseases in virtually all organ systems. That landscape leaf-blowing dramatically raises local pollutant loads is a matter of everyday observation, unnecessarily increasing health risks locally, and in the aggregate to the general population.
This ordinance would also reduce VOC and other pollutants associated with internal combustion, and would mitigate the psychological stress of blowers’ piercing noise at a time when citizens are subject to other inescapable environmental stress. Please join the many other California jurisdictions that have taken this common-sense step.
I wholeheartedly support the ordinance limiting the use of leaf blowers when the AQI is 100 or greater.
The time is now to take action on leaf blowers. While I support this proposed ban, it is limited in application. We need to take action to protect workers and their customers from the polluted air and noise that results from gas powered leaf blowers.
It is time to put constraints on leaf blowers and all other gas-powered landscaping equipment for both health and climate reasons. Blowing more material into the air during already-dangerous air quality days is a no-brainer. Yes, definitely ban blowers when the AQI is above 100.
Equally important is to start the transition to all electric equipment, as recommended by the Mayors' Climate Commission. This transition will require financial support and equity considerations, since many of those who use gas-powered leaf blowers, etc. professionally are low income workers. But we can afford that transition by prioritizing the health and welfare of residents and workers, and taking climate impact into account for all city decisions.
I support the proposed ordinance but what really needs to happen is a complete ban on gas-powered blowers. Some 20 California cities have gone so far as to ban any type of gas, electric or battery-powered leaf blowers - some since 1976. Why is Sacramento so entrenched in allowing the use of gas-powered leaf blowers? Studies indicate they pollute the air with the engine releasing 100% of its tailpipe emissions. Lets make our city a more peaceful, healthier place by not using gas-powered leaf blowers.
Having observed repeated leaf blower use in the worst of the smoke compromised air quality, it was evident that entrainment of road dust and aerial smoke was widespread and harmful both to the operator and the public walking in our neighborhood. We restrict fireplace smoke on bad air days and there is no reason not to restrict other forms of pollution (aerial 2.5 dust) on days with bad air. I suffered low grade fever during the hazardous air period in September of this year. Research showed that exposure to excessive 2.5PM enters the blood through the lungs and the immune system response is similar to COVID e.g low grade fever and lung soreness. If the phrase "Black lives Matter" means anything it means protecting those who operate this machinery who are largely black and brown folks with no or inadequate lung protection. The noise from this equipment routinely violates the city noise ordinance as well. Thank you s/ Harold M. Thomas (retired public prosecutor)
This proposed ordinance does not go far enough. In this era of fossil fuel addiction, which is causing the approaching climate chaos, there is no good reason whatsoever to use engines and motors to accomplish tasks that are well within human muscular capability. http://motherearthhome.blogspot.com/
I am in strong support of a ban on all blowers when the AQI is above 100, and would support a complete ban on gas-powered lawn equipment. In past weeks, I have witnessed numerous landscaping workers and homeowners blowing on days when the air quality was rated "unhealthy" or "hazardous" by the SMAQMD. This is absolutely unacceptable - especially when the folks typically performing the tasks are hired, often not wearing protective equipment, and are performing a task that is not worth putting their health at risk.
The connection between poor respiratory health and contracting Covid-19 is clear, and the risk to Latinx communities is even higher. It is most often Latinx populations who comprise the landscaping companies. Their health should be prioritized in this community, now more than ever. Thus, it is critical this ordinance pass, and place the largest burden on employers, not the landscaping companies, by imposing penalties on the property owner where the blowing takes place.
I support the proposed ban on leaf blowers. Currently this equipment compounds air quality problems in Midtown Sacramento where I live. As a daily walker and bike rider I am constantly confronted with clouds of dust and particulates being blown into public streets. Often this is going on from both sides of a street. Besides being a safety hazard for pedestrians and bike riders this blowing practice impacts air quality. My eyes and lungs are impacted nearly every day by the use of this equipment as I make my way around Sacramento. I now have allergy problems that are made worse by being exposed to the dust and particles being blown around in public spaces. I have lived in Midtown for over 15 years without owning any gas powered equipment. A broom, rake and green waste containers are more than adequate for handling the accumulation of leaves and debris that come with living under our wonderful urban forest. Please take this action to protect our air quality and health.