So what Stephen seems to be saying in his lengthy and informative message is that there are laws on the books right now that actually prohibit the use of some (maybe most or all) leaf blowers that exist. So why then do we need yet another layer of laws and bureaucracy to prohibit these offending machines of modern society?
Ron Leurquin Nokomis East P.S. Stephen, I would like to hear your comments on this off list unless you want to share with the entire list. Stephen wrote: Here is an attempt to answer some of the questions posted regarding blowers: THE QUIET COMMUNITY COALITION believes that leaf blowers are more of a nuisance than a convenience and are a health hazard. We would like the Minneapolis City Council to review the actions of the 200 or-so other North American cities which regulated or banned leaf blowers and take similar action. Our concerns are the noise generated by all blowers, which is in excess of existing laws, and the adverse impact on air quality from the exhaust of gas-powered blowers and the particulate matter (dust clouds) generated by all blowers. NOISE LAWS Over the years we as a community have established standards around acceptable noise in the city. Both City and State laws limit noise generation of 65 decibles or higher to six minutes and noise levels of 60db to no more than 30 minutes. The decible level is measured at the recipient of the noise, not the generation point. For example, Minneapolis homes located under the MSP International airport flight path which are exposed to an average noise level of 60db qualify for noise mitigation. And, if noise from a car stereo can be heard from 50 feet away, it is a violation of city noise laws. These are examples of where we have established our community standards on noise. BLOWERS AND NOISE Both Gas and Electric leaf blowers operate at, or above, a 65-decibel rating AS MEASURED FROM 50 FEET! (really, check out the web sites.) Most blowers are used less than 50 feet from a neighboring property, typically near lot lines, and for at least 30 minutes. Therefore, noise from blowers impacts between 8 and 14 neighboring residences, exposing some neighbors to noise levels in excess of 65db. AIR POLLUTION Two-stroke fuel-powered blowers use up to 50% of their fuel as a lubricant. They spew gas on the ground and burn it extremely inefficiently, contributing to city smog. The dust clouds generated by leaf contain Particulate Matter (PM), which contributes to both poor air quality ratings and adversely impacts community health. 5% of city air pollution is from gas powered yard implements. OTHER HEALTH CONCERNS ORGANIC PARTICULATES The 'dust clouds' from leaf blower can contain mold and pollen spores, as well as dried animal feces and other organic materials. Blower dust clouds do not stay on the users property but migrate to adjoining properties and can also affect passing pedestrians and cyclists. Mold and pollen spores are major contributors to asthma. And asthma is the number one reason given for absenteeism in the public schools. IN-ORGANIC PARTICUALTES The dust clouds from blowers can also contain lead (from paint chips around homes), mercury (fallout from coal burning power plants), pesticides (from fertilizers), asbestos, vermiculite or other urban pollutants commonly found in Minneapolis soil. Again, this particulate matter gets into the air and migrates off the blower users property and into the air and lungs of residents. Indeed, when collecting blown materials on the sidewalk and/or street, particulates not only migrating but concentrating. Furthermore they continue to migrate to our lakes and streams through street and gutter run-off and are repeatedly kicked up into the air by passing cars. Raking will not normally migrate heavy metals more than a few inches into the air. And mercury, left undisturbed, will break down in soil over time. CONCLUSION Blowers expose neighbors to noise levels in excess of community noise standards and state law and generate dust clouds of particulate matter which contribute to poor air quality. To insure conformity to city and state laws, to protect public health, and to insure a sustainable environment, it makes sense to regulate blowers. One remedy, which came out of a community meeting on the subject, is to work with blower manufacturers to create a portable electric leaf vacuum, which mulches and operates at 45 decibels. A vacuum tool allows for the use of a modern convenience, reduces organic waste through mulching, conforms to noise standards and does not stir up particulate matter. Some current blowers already have a vacuuming function but operate at 65db or higher. Until then the Quiet Community Coalition recommends the Minneapolis City Council move to join over 200 cities in North America in regulating or banning the use of blowers. Sacramento, CA. (population 400,000) has banned the sale of gas-powered blowers which operate at 65db or higher. The city of Los Angeles bans the use of gas blowers within 500 feet of a residence. I hope this clarifies our concerns around blowers. For more information go to: www.allianceforsustainability.net and search "leaf" or www.zapla.com Thank you. Stephen Rueff REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
