Deadly leaf blowers still killing Del Mar
Mar 11, 2010

By Bud Emerson

Resident, Del Mar

Leaf blowers have been banned here for about a decade, but they continue to flourish even though they compromise the health of all living organisms. Enforcement is lax and usually targets lower-income minorities who ironically are being harmed the most.

We are playing a deadly game here. Starting up a noise-polluting, two-stroke leaf blower is much more air polluting than cars. They fire up at more than 100 mph and kick up animal fecal matter, allergens, chemicals, molds and other toxins that travel directly into human breathing channels. This deadly particulate matter is hazardous to human health as well as plant, insect and animal life.

Both the Natural Resources Defense Council and the California Air Resources Board strongly recommend banning these devices to cut down particulate matter. They have documented the harm caused, including cardiopulmonary disease, heart attacks, depressed immunity, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, hearing loss and asthma. The small benefits hardly match the deadly cost.

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