To the Editor:

With the beautiful fall season upon us we can soon, unfortunately, expect it to be marred by the heavily increased use of constant ear-piercing noise and air pollution from gasoline powered leaf blowers. Especially with the life threatening COVID-19 pandemic, affecting primarily our respiratory systems, we should be rethinking the use of these outdated, inefficient, highly polluting machines which contribute to climate change.    

There are much better alternatives available in battery or electric leaf blowers which can be used by homeowners as well as commercial landscapers. The health of these workers is grossly affected by the constant use of these noisy, polluting machines, as is the health and quality of life of residents.

According to the California Air Resources Board, for the best-selling commercial leaf blower, one hour of operation emits smog-forming pollution comparable to driving a 2016 Toyota Camry about 1,100 miles, or approximately the distance from Los Angeles to Denver.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov), states that gas powered leaf blowers can produce noise at a level of 90 decibels.  Exposure for two hours can cause hearing damage, potentially impacting both operators and surrounding neighbors.

What can residents do?

1. Those who do their own lawn work should consider using the much quieter and less polluting battery or electric leaf blowers. The hardware store in Princeton carries such equipment.
2. If using a landscape service, the homeowner must make it clear to the service provider that they want to minimize the use of gasoline leaf blowers and would prefer the quieter and less polluting alternatives of battery or electric equipment. 

The above could create more neighborly good will, much needed in our current world!

For large commercial properties, e.g. corporate centers, parks, etc., gasoline powered leaf blowers may currently be irreplaceable. Until such time that battery powered leaf blowers for large commercial properties are readily available, there should be a proscribed formula that factors in size of the grounds and its proximity to residential property that effectively limits the otherwise unrestricted use of gasoline powered leaf blowers.

The cumulative effect of having many gasoline leaf blowers being powered up during the fall, but really all year round with gross overuse, is something that needs to be addressed effectively by our municipal government so that this noise and pollution scourge does not go on year after year. I understand that the Princeton Environmental Commission and Sustainable Princeton are looking into this issue. But especially in the pandemic when people are more confined to their homes, timely action is needed.

David Saul
Ridgeview Road