Portable gas-powered leaf blowers are the bane of suburban life and should no longer be used, especially in residential settings. They cause excessive noise pollution and airborne pollution. Elimination of gas-powered leaf blowers would create a bit more serenity for those in their homes during daylight hours in which leaf blowers are typically used, and provide an overall health benefit to the community. I suggest the following:
1.Enforcement of current noise and time of use limitations for both property owners and gardeners, as well as a decrease in allowable noise levels, consistent with commercially available electric-powered blowers. Apply stiffer penalties for non-compliance.
2. Rapid phase-out through economic incentives for replacing gas-powered blowers owned by homeowners and their gardeners with quieter and less polluting electric-powered leaf blowers.
