How dirty is gas-powered lawn equipment?
Pollution from the millions of lawn and garden machines in our neighborhoods adds up. According to data for 2020 from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
“According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one hour operating a new gasoline lawn mower emits the same amount of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide driving a new car 45 miles. Garden equipment engines produce up to 5% of the nation’s air pollution. Gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment emit air pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.”
“Exhaust emissions from gasoline-powered engines can lead to health problems such as respiratory disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions and premature death. Every time you fill your gas can and mower, you are emitting volatile organic compounds into the air and risk releasing gasoline to the environment through an accidental spill.”
And a further comparison from tests conducted by car experts Edmunds. A consumer-grade leaf blower emits more pollutants than a 6,200-pound 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, according to tests conducted by Edmunds’ InsideLine.com.
“The hydrocarbon emissions from a half-hour of yard work with the two-stroke leaf blower are about the same as a 3,900-mile drive from Texas to Alaska in a Raptor,” said Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor at Edmunds.com.
Leaf blowers can be just as noisy and polluting as lawn mowers, if not more so. Specifically:
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), gas-powered leaf blowers emitted 30 million tons of carbon dioxidein 2020 which is more than all greenhouse gas emissions from Los Angeles that year. The EPA also reported that gas-powered leaf blowers emitted:
- 20 million pounds of benzene: A carcinogen
- Nearly 19,000 tons of methane: A pollutant
- Nearly 22,000 tons of fine particulates: Pollutants linked to respiratory ailments, reproductive and mental health issues, and premature death
Over the season, you don’t have to worry about the type of fuel or change oil and spark plugs. And you don’t have to pull on a cord. Starting an electric lawn mower or leaf blower requires pushing a button.
No specific electric infrastructure is required for your home. You can charge the equipment from a 110 outlet.
A number of states, towns, and cities have already passed regulations to phase out gas leaf blowers. These include California, Washington DC, and locally, Lexington, Arlington, Belmont, Concord, and Cambridge. Acton is currently trying to do the same. Maybe Stow should too.
There are many various manufacturers of battery powered lawn equipment. Visit your local lawn equipment or hardware store to learn more.
Let us know about your experience going electric by contributing a Testimonial.
