Banning gas-powered leaf blowers
One of the seasonal events of fall in Amherst and the rest of the Pioneer Valley is the constant din caused by gas-powered leaf blowers. From early October to almost Christmas, one cannot walk in any neighborhood without having to block one’s ears from the noise. This reduces the pleasure of being outdoors at this time of the year. Later, some residents’ snow removal services use the same leaf blowers to remove light fluffy snow instead of sweeping, shoveling, or plowing.
To combat this noise pollution, many eastern Massachusetts communities, including Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington, and Winchester, have passed year-round bans on gas-powered blowers. Other communities have passed seasonable bans on these devices.
In addition to the noise pollution, small gasoline engines, like those in leaf blowers contribute to air pollution. According to Environment America, a typical leaf blower releases the same amount of air pollution per hour as driving 1,100 miles. There is a solution: Battery-powered blowers now have similar performance in airspeed and volume to gas ones, minus the air and noise pollution and dreaded engine maintenance.
It’s time for communities in the Pioneer Valley to step up and ban gas-powered leaf blowers.
Ladimer and Anna Nagurney
Amherst