It's not the noise

A lot of people think the concern with leaf blowers ban is all about noise — it isn't.

Certainly noise is an issue, a big issue, for many people. For some, including the two authors of this blog, the big issue is the toxic dust clouds that leaf blowers put into the air.

Many people aren't aware that the most common pesticides and herbicides are carcinogenic, tied to learning disabilities, known endocrine disruptors, and more. Much more. Lead, a neurotoxin, is also common in soil around Arlington homes.

Leaf blowers throw this toxic brew of chemicals into the air.

1. The most common lawn treatments include pesticides and herbicides, which are listed as toxic chemicals, endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, possible carcinogens, etc.
2. Many of these chemicals decay slowly. They have "half-lives" ranging from several months to almost a year.
3. Leaf blowers make airborne those toxic chemicals using winds of up to 280 mph pointed directly at the soil.
4. That toxic dust goes through open windows, settles on porches/patios, on children's lawn toys, etc. where adults and children ingest the chemicals either by breathing or by hand to mouth contact.

Noisy or not, it is the threat to adults and children that concern us most.