When Are Audio Levels Harmful To th... Nov 24, 2009
A bulldozer which is idling can reach up to 80 dB, as can lawn mowers and leaf blowers. According to the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, exposure to these noises for a typical work day of eight hours can be harmful to the ears. (Suite101.com)
No comments posted. Nov 22, 2009
Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 12:25 PM PST SEBASTOPOL Noisy, gas-powered leaf blowers are still legal in Sebastopol following a decision by the city council Tuesday to seek more information on possible alternatives or limitations in their use ... If Sebastopol does outlaw gas powered leaf blowers, it would be the first in Sonoma County to do so ... Councilmember Larry Robinson, meanwhile, suggested that instead of concentrating on gas leaf blowers, perhaps a deeper look at the... (Sebastopol Sonoma West Publishing, CA)
Yard and Garden: Forget the rake -- mulch those leaves! Nov 21, 2009
It contained a lot of noise and commotion with leaf blowers blasting; hand rakes flying; bags being stuffed; and even a beeping mini-backhoe moving huge piles of leaves into the street. I have a comment to add to all this blowing, raking and stuffing. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Stupak amendment hijacks health care reform Nov 14, 2009
Times are really tough, in so many very serious ways, and I'm sure I'll be pilloried for complaining about such a seemingly frivolous matter, but could someone please explain why I should have to listen to the endless shriek of leaf blowers ... Given the extremely dubious value of leaf blowers, I can't imagine a more pervasive and antisocial invasion of the right to a peaceful home. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Editorial Notebook: Don't be a 'Blofeld' with a leaf blower Nov 12, 2009
Some in leafy Sacramento have suggested an all-out ban on leaf blowers. I'm not ready to go there yet. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
UP FOR AIR: Flynnie has left the Avenue, Super Sub sails into sunset Nov 5, 2009
Leaf blowers, along with root canals and runny eggs, are here to stay. I did take up the defense of the leaf-blowing crowd last year and was severely chastised by those who had lost their hearing and senses of humor because of the racket. (Marblehead Reporter, MA)
The EPA wants to put a time bomb in America's gas tanks Oct 31, 2009
Neither are existing filling station pumps and tanks - not to mention recreational boat engines, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, four-wheelers, snowmobiles, or anything else with a gasoline engine. Increasing the amount of ethanol required to be blended into our fuel supply is rolling the dice for every existing gasoline engine. (Juneau Empire)
Pull up a chair and have a whinge Oct 21, 2009
Bagging leaf blowers is always a cheap shot, and usually done by those without a clue ... Leaf blowers have cleaned paths that would otherwise be strewn with debris ... Leaf blowers do a better job than brooms, and in about 20% of the time. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Utopia in suburbia Oct 19, 2009
My suburb is devoid of two-stroke leaf blowers, edge trimmers and lawn mowers. Our gardeners are wised-up to the benefits of hand-mowers, rakes and secateurs. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Wreck kills 3; 'nothing left'of victims' pickup truck Oct 16, 2009
Investigators used fans, leaf blowers and propane torches to try to dry the road, which remained damp as a persistent drizzle fell. Investigators took photos of the crash from a bucket lifted above a utility truck, trying to get different vantage points of the crash scene. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Opinion: Peter Costa: It's fall; it's normal to be sad Oct 15, 2009
Even with leaf blowers, eventually we run out of prairie land and must bag the leaves and take them to the recycling center. I don t know about your recycling center, but mine rivals the ancient scene of Roman gladiators on chariots aggressively driving their rigs at the coliseum. (Wellesley Townsman, MA)
Letters to the editor Oct 9, 2009
I went on a crash course to get him used to leaf blowers, garbage trucks and Muni buses. When the Blue Angels came, he had no problem with the noise. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
The worlds quietest places Oct 7, 2009
So what we really need is not a complete absence of sound, but to be in places that sound the way the world did before we came in with our engines, iPods and leaf blowers. To be in places where the world sounds like it did before we started making all this noise. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Sold: Vise-Grip auctions off remaining inventory Oct 3, 2009
Everything from metal clamps to hammers, electric scales and industrial strength leaf blowers were sold in bulk to the highest bidder. The crowds followed the auctioneer, who was perched high above the scene in a specially made podium on wheels. (Columbus Telegram, NE)
Trees Reduce Urban Air Pollution Sep 26, 2009
Avoiding trees that require frequent maintenance will lower the amount of pollution emitted by fossil-fueled machines like chainsaws, leaf blowers and wood chippers. Nowack s studies revealed that mulberry, cherry, linden and honeylocust trees were especially effective in reducing ozone levels. (Suite101.com)
Working to reduce small-engine emissions Sep 23, 2009
The engines are commonly found in scooters, mopeds, garden tractors, chainsaws, leaf blowers and other lawn equipment and recreational vehicles. Potential customers are testing the design, with full-scale production likely to begin by the end of the year at Freescale's fabrication plant in Chandler. (AZCentral -- Business)
Landscaping equipment stolen from Watertown business Sep 22, 2009
Employees reported that sometime between 4 p.m. on Sept. 18 and 7 a.m. the next day, the locks on two landscaping trailers were cut and six hedge trimmers, four backpack leaf blowers, a gas generator and a handheld leaf blower were stolen. Loading commenting interface. (Watertown TAB & Press, MA)
Letters to the Editor (15) Sep 21, 2009
Farther along, a city work crew set down their leaf blowers and stood with folded hands as we passed, and the fire station doors were raised as if the engines inside were paying their respect. So often we hear that the Boerne we used to know and love is gone, and that people don t understand what it means to be a member of this fine community. (Boerne Star, TX)
Can't get There From Here- Small engines, big problem Sep 18, 2009
Motorcycles are loud too, and so are leaf blowers and other yard tools. Brookline Town Meeting just passed a law banning all but the quietest leaf blowers. (Billerica Minuteman, MA)
Thief makes off with garden gear Sep 10, 2009
Landscapers were working Tuesday morning at a McDonald's restaurant at 3698 Atlanta Highway when thieves stole hedge trimmers and leaf blowers valued at $1,800 from their truck, Athens-Clarke police said. Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday, September 10, 2009. (Athens Banner-Herald)
New Portland law bans noisy leaf blowers Sep 1, 2009
Portland is poised to issue its first-ever list of approved leaf blowers, something that s been in the works for years, according to Noise Officer Paul vanOrden. New rules will impose a 65-decibel noise limit on leaf blowers year-round, excepting the foliage-filled months of November through February, when the decibel level can legally reach 70 ... During the ordinance s first year, the city said it will encourage compliance with education about quieter leaf blowers instead of fines. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR)
Firefighters struggle to contain wildfire Aug 19, 2009
Because of ash and smoke over a large swath of Santa Barbara County, health officials were maintaining countywide air quality watch Tuesday, encouraging residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and avoid using leaf blowers or stirring up ash particles. August 19, 2009. (Lompoc Record, CA)
Stolen trailer found because of tail light Aug 7, 2009
The officer learned the truck and trailer were reported stolen, police said, but didn't immediately know if the weed trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers and other equipment in the trailer were stolen as well. Wood was charged with theft by receiving stolen property and obstruction of a law enforcement officer, police said, and he also was wanted on an out-of-county arrest warrant. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Clean sweep deals a blow to progress Aug 4, 2009
How did we manage without telephones, microwave ovens, cars, computers and leaf blowers ... Leaf blowers are particularly annoying because they are SO DAMNED LOUD. No one ever woke me up by sweeping their driveway ... Im not saying we should give our cars and mobile phones away and live like the Amish, but leaf blowers make it look suspiciously like were actually going out of our way to screw things up. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Despite delay, Open runs okay Jul 28, 2009
Tournament director Ryan Luecke said that the tournament had to be postponed for two hours in order to allow for time to use leaf blowers to blow the leaves and water off of the Alexander Park courts. Luecke said that the damage at Alexander from Friday;s high winds was less than at other Princeton psarks. (Princeton Bureau County Republican, IL)
Palo Alto revises business-tax proposal Jul 21, 2009
Wrong side of the police chief (non)controversy, ridiculous amount of attention on the Children's Theater fiasco, leaf blowers, business tax. They aren't my representatives. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Do-it-yourselfer Q&A Jul 17, 2009
QUICK TIP. Two-cycle gasoline engines - the small engines on many weed trimmers, leaf blowers and chainsaws - are sometimes hard to start. One key to better starting is to always use fresh gas-oil mixture. (Herald Online, SC -- Lifestyles)
Four vehicles reported burglarized in Watertown Jul 14, 2009
Two sets of hedge clippers and two leaf blowers had been stolen from a trailer attached to the vehicle. The tools were valued at $1,000. (Watertown TAB & Press, MA)
Muffle those pipes Jul 14, 2009
They point their fingers at loud car stereos and leaf blowers. But while loud pipes are not the sole source of noise pollution, they are unrelenting, geographically widespread, and rooted in a zealous belief system. (Boston Globe)
Gadgets help you care for lawn, and nature too Jul 12, 2009
Emissions from gasoline-powered devices such as trimmers and leaf blowers, which are currently unregulated, are significant, says the US Department of Energy. Electric alternatives exist, but to many, they don t make the cut because of battery limitations for some and lack of portability for those that are not cordless. (Boston Globe)
Yakima teacher reprimanded for backpack feces Jul 3, 2009
We live in one of the worst places tormented by this and yet we still have the leaf blowers going full bore and sending not only dried spit and animal feces and who knows what else into the air we breathe, but also the spores of Valley Fever. It is absolutely amazing. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Across the area Jun 23, 2009
said chain saws, trimmers and leaf blowers were missing when he returned to pick them up Sunday, according to a Richmond County sheriff's report. The employee told police it didn't appear there was forced entry to the storage container in the 300 block of Heath Drive, which was surrounded by a barbed-wire fence. (The Augusta Chronicle)
'Green' Lawns Benefit Planet, Pocketbook Jun 6, 2009
If need be, there are electric leaf blowers as well, which don't emit smog-inducing gases. However, electric options do cost more money than manual alternatives and the environmental benefits are dependent on the efficiency of your power grid. (Click2Houston, TX)
How major bills fared at the Capitol May 18, 2009
Prohibits the use of leaf blowers during early mornings and late evenings to reduce noise pollution. Coqui frogs. (Honolulu Advertiser)
• The kindest cut May 12, 2009
The worst polluters are hand-held devices powered by small, howling two-stroke engines - like leaf blowers and string trimmers - that spew clouds of unburned hydrocarbons (gas and oil), nitrogen oxides, particulates and carbon monoxide. They are like roach bombs for humans. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Homeowner won't be fined for mulch May 7, 2009
They pay for leaf blowers and lawn maintenance. Why would they have a permit to maintain the park for the city with their money. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
These authors cultivate a garden and a passion May 4, 2009
Don't get him going on leaf blowers. Posted. (USA Today -- Life)
Texts, Twitter could improve asthma alerts May 4, 2009
"For instance, we now send text messages about a high-pollution day to landscapers who might be using leaf blowers.". While working in the field, these individuals might not have access to computers, radio or television, Cunningham said. (AZCentral)
EDITORIAL: Beverly noise ordinance sounds extreme May 1, 2009
How about yard equipment, such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers and weed wackers. Does this ordinance mean a business that repairs cars won't be able to use power tools to take lug nuts off cars. (Beverly Citizen, MA)
Children and teenagers at risk for noise-induced hearing loss, warn America's ENT doctors May 1, 2009
For children and teenagers, some activities that can risk damaging hearing include: playing with noisy toys, band instruments, and video games; listening to personal music players and stereos at high volumes; attending concerts and movies; operating lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and power tools; and riding off-road vehicles and snowmobiles. As a general rule, noise may damage your hearing if you are at arm's length from it, or have to shout to make yourself heard. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Election-related letters Apr 30, 2009
Whether he is advocating for streets that are safer for bicyclists, encouraging residents to purchase fuel-efficient cars, or calling for reduced use of leaf blowers, Andy can be counted on for provocative ideas about how to protect the environment and make Brookline a better place to live. Even if Andy s proposals do not always prevail in Town Meeting, they are constructive and helpful in moving the town forward. (Brookline TAB, MA)
LETTER: Noise pollution is still pollution Apr 28, 2009
I have to agree and add my appreciation with Sean Sullivan s letter of last week regarding leaf blowers and other noise-making lawn equipment ... Leaf blowers do little to nothing BUT make noise, and certainly the sawing (of shrubbery) and lawnmowers do not need to start at 7 a.m. Not everyone works 9-5, and it s presumptuous and downright unneighborly to make that kind of noise that early. (Marblehead Reporter, MA)
LETTER: A proposed leaf-blower bylaw Apr 28, 2009
Below is my proposed bylaw for 2010 Town Meeting concerning leaf blowers ... A LAW TO PROHIBIT OR REGULATE THE USE OF VARIOUS LEAF BLOWERS IN THE TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD ... Leaf blowers powered by installed line current or by battery may be used in the town only. (Marblehead Reporter, MA)
Weymouth students bowl to buy supplies for troops Apr 11, 2009
We once sent leaf blowers to two units in Afghanistan and one unit in Iraq, Doyle said ... They were thrilled to get the leaf blowers. (Weymouth News, MA)
Letter: Leaf blowers in summer unnecessary Apr 8, 2009
Brookline property owners can help to limit noise pollution (and unnecessary energy use) by voluntary restraint in summer use of leaf blowers. In November, The strong support for the proposal shows that the noise created by leaf blowers is highly offensive to many residents ... Leaf blowers may be a great help for garden clean-up in the fall and spring, but are they necessary in the summer. (Brookline TAB, MA)
High pollution alert issued for Thursday Mar 26, 2009
That means contractors can t use leaf blowers on governmental properties and hotels, restaurants and residents cannot burn wood in their indoor fireplaces and outdoor fire pits. Open burning and the use of off-highway vehicles also are prohibited. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
City expands list of high-speed-rail concerns Mar 20, 2009
" The board unanimously agreed to ask the rail authority to study the proposed rail line's potential impact on these historic sites. The planning commission, meanwhile, had its own suggestions. At a Wednesday night meeting, commissioners offered a host of comments for the agency to consider in the EIR, including the rail system's potential impact on utilities, aquifers, noise and urban sprawl. Commissioner Arthur Keller proposed a detailed plan for the line: a combination of trenching and... (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Bats threaten paradise Mar 16, 2009
The trust has applied for permission from state and national authorities to blast the bats with offensive sounds buzzing chainsaws, leaf blowers, clattering metal played through loudspeakers moved around the gardens on golf carts. Flying foxes have a hearing range similar to that of humans and do not rely on sonar. (International Herald Tribune)
Letters: March 12 Mar 13, 2009
I have long suffered through the morning noise of leaf blowers, wood-chippers and lawnmowers. All commercial-grade equipment, and all operating at decibel levels we would not normally tolerate from neighbors. (Wellesley Townsman, MA)
Wellesley citizen's petition seeks to keep residents mornings quieter Mar 5, 2009
To have to be awakened on 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning with a cacophony or armada of leaf blowers and lawn mowers, to me, seems inappropriate. (). (Wellesley Townsman, MA)
Neighbor’s music too loud Feb 19, 2009
sf8280 wrote on Feb 17, 2009 8:45 PM:" If lvr13 can spell "administration" or "salaries", with some minor typos... I promise he/she is perfectly capable of spelling "dumb" had they wanted to. It's misspelled for effect. It looks really stoopid. The inter-savvy and AIM folks are fond of such styles. Intentionally. It's official, Brad, you're getting old!BTW, in college, we just made sure to pay back the offender of such minor infractions in kind. Leaf blowers, vacuum cleaners... just pick... (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
Toro trims frills, prices for new Lawn-Boys to woo consumers Feb 17, 2009
In Home Depot, Toro sells push and riding lawn mowers and other lawn and garden power equipment such as leaf blowers. Its premium line of mowers under the Toro brand will be priced similar to last year. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
Bill limits use of leaf blowers in Hawaii neighborhoods Feb 16, 2009
But Wong is never quite sure when the yard men and their roaring leaf blowers will pass beneath her bedroom window and render her peaceful Pualei Circle home a den of din ... Wong is one of several Pualei Circle residents who intend to offer testimony in support of a bill that would set new restrictions on how and when leaf blowers can be used in residential areas ... The proposed legislation would restrict the use of leaf blowers to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays), and only at a... (Honolulu Advertiser)
Watertown Crime Watch: Man forces three massage business employees into back room Feb 10, 2009
Leaf blowers, other tools, laptop stolen from homes ... A man said he was missing two handheld leaf blowers, one tile cutter, a mid-sized chainsaw and a handful of business checks from his home s garage. (Watertown TAB & Press, MA)
Say what? Welcome to our ever-louder lives Feb 8, 2009
As the metro population more than doubled in the past 25 years, once-tranquil countryside filled with the sounds of leaf blowers and squealing brakes. In the urban core, increasing numbers of condo dwellers are learning that city streets and stacked quarters can be far noisier than suburban cul-de-sacs. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
