PRODUCTS WE CAN LIVE WITHOUT

^Gas- Powered Leaf Blowers BY PAUL McRANDLE

What They Are

Leaf blowers use noisy and polluting two-stroke engines to power multiple fans for moving yard debris. Gas-powered models are more powerful than electric, but also louder and dirtier.

Why You Should Avoid Them FOR THE AIR: Not only do gas-powered engines pollute the air with exhaust containing sulfur dioxide and other smog-inducing components, but blowers also stir up dust full of allergens, pesticides and heavy metals. These small particulates threaten asthmatics and those who have had heart or lung disease. FOR YOUR HEARING: Gas-powered leaf blowers produce noise levels up to 105 decibels. Prolonged exposure to 85 decibels or more can lead to hearing loss, a risk increased by the proximity of the blower. As a result, many towns have banned blowers or restricted their hours of operation, and users are required to wear hearing protection.

FOR YOUR WALLET: Leaf blowers aren’t cheap; getting one powerful enough to handle a lawn full of leaves can put you back as much as $650, and that doesn’t include the cost of gas.

What to Use Instead

Rakes can move around masses of leaves with more precision than a blower, and raking will give you some exercise without damaging your hearing. Plus, you’ll enjoy the crisp fall air free of dust clouds and gas fumes. Rakes can be found at any hardware store for about $7 to $20.

QUICK TIP

IF RAKING IS A PAIN IN THE BACK:

x Get a rake that suits your height to avoid bending. x Do a warm-up exercise. x While raking, bend at the knees rather than the waist, and avoid bending and twisting your back at the same time. x The hardest part of raking is bagging the leaves. Rather than bagging, rake leaves into a corner and let them compost.

G G Over the same period of time, a gas-powered leaf blower will produce 11 times as much particulate matter as a car.

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