Letter to the Editor

NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here.

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I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed ordinance banning or restricting gas-powered leaf blowers (GLBs) in our community. Gas-powered leaf blowers are an environmental and public-health burden that we should not endure for the sake of convenience when practical, quieter, and cleaner options exist.

Key reasons to support this ban and its provisions:

– Noise pollution and health impacts: GLBs generate extremely loud, low-frequency noise that penetrates walls and windows. A single blower can reach approximately 100 decibels, and when used in multiples, the impact on nearby residents is substantial. The resulting disturbance affects sleep, mental health, and overall well-being, with links to cognitive challenges and stress-related health problems.

– Air pollution and public health: Gas-powered blowers contribute to ozone formation, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and hydrocarbons. They also blow dust containing pesticides, lead, pollen, mold, and animal feces into the air, aggravating asthma and cardiopulmonary conditions—placing children and vulnerable residents at particular risk. Comparisons cited by researchers indicate that short-term GLB use can produce pollution burdens comparable to lengthy vehicle trips.

– Soil health and environment: The high-velocity blasts degrade soil structure, reduce soil nutrients, and can worsen drought and flood susceptibility by disrupting natural soil processes. This makes lawns more reliant on chemical inputs and less resilient to climate-related stresses.

– Biodiversity and ecosystem services: Repeated blasts kill insects and damage the habitat of soil-dwelling and pollinator species, undermining natural pest control and reducing biodiversity. Healthy pollinator and predator insect populations are essential for resilient landscapes and gardens.

The ordinance as proposed provides a balanced path forward, with targeted restrictions aimed at reducing harm while recognizing practical needs:

– Prohibiting the use of GLBs Memorial Day through Labor Day (I would urge the ban to be until mid-October when leaves are actively falling).

– Limiting electric leaf blower usage to specific hours, effectively reducing early-morning and late-evening disturbances, weekends, and holidays.

– Clearly articulated exemptions for emergency use, town/public works, and limited residential use only on hard surfaces.

I consider this a small, prudent step toward cleaner air and a more peaceful community. I respectfully urge you to adopt these restrictions and to consider extending them through mid-October (the time leaves begin to drop more consistently) with the goal of ongoing progress toward more comprehensive protections in the future.

There are viable alternatives that are better for health and the environment. Mulching and leaving grass clippings to decompose, along with mulch mowing, improve soil moisture and fertility and reduce the need for additional inputs. For those who prefer mechanical assistance, electric leaf blowers (when allowed under the ordinance) are markedly quieter and produce far fewer pollutants than gas-powered models. In my own practice, I urge my landscapers to avoid all blowers when possible, relying on mulching and natural wind to manage leaves, and the results have been perfectly acceptable for our landscape.

Thank you for considering this important step toward cleaner air, quieter neighborhoods, and a healthier environment for all residents.

Sincerely,

Polly Goodyear