This story was originally published byGrist.
Decaying leaves fertilized the soil andgave nutrientsback to the trees.
Their distinctive, whining drone has been hard to escape.
Photo: Francois Nel (Getty Images)
California will end the sale of gas-powered blowers next summer.
Their hum will also be silenced inPortlandandSeattlein the coming years.
Barring a sudden acceptance of lawns scattered with leaves, rakes and battery-powered devices will slowly replace them.
How is that even possible?
The outdated design is cheap, powerful, andreally loud and dirty.
And so this has become evident as a more important source of pollution.
Even their noise poses a health concern.
People cant get away from the sound, Banks said.
So why did such a dangerous gear take off in the first place?
Those bans then set off their own backlash.
Today, the fight to save gas-powered leaf blowers has gotten more organized.
It mirrorslaws in dozens of statesthat prevent cities from restricting natural gas hookups in new buildings.
To be sure, swapping gas for electric blowers isnt as simple as it might sound.
Its going to take more time for them to do the same job, Banks said.
While battery-powered versions aretypically cheaperthan gasoline ones, buying new equipment to comply with bans is expensive for landscapers.
Its as though youre sucking the exhaust out of the tailpipe of a car, Brauer said.
Thats sort of what youre doing if youre using a leaf blower.
This article originally appeared inGristathttps://grist.org/solutions/leaf-blower-bans-air-pollution-noise/.
Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
Your lungs will probably suffer.
in your own home.
