Pollen, Mold, Feces and Lung-Lodging Particulates

In addition to the various toxic chemicals from herbicides and pesticides, and the lead (Pb) that leaf blowers raise into the air, are a variety of other health concerns.

POLLEN/MOLD:

Pollen and mold are pollen and mold. I don’t think we need to elaborate on this one. In short, any that has settled on the lawn is made airborne again by 150-280 mph winds.

PM 2.5:

Particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller is 1/30th the diameter of a human hair. Particles under this size are, according to the EPA [1] , considered dangerous because they lodge in the lungs creating an array of potential problems.

From the EPA [2]:

“Health studies have shown a significant association between exposure to fine particles and premature death from heart or lung disease. Fine particles can aggravate heart and lung diseases and have been linked to effects such as: cardiovascular symptoms; cardiac arrhythmias; heart attacks; respiratory symptoms; asthma attacks; and bronchitis. These effects can result in increased hospital admissions, emergency room visits, absences from school or work, and restricted activity days. Individuals that may be particularly sensitive to fine particle exposure include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children.”

So while some elderly may consider leaf blowers preferable to raking, those with heart or lung diseases are actually putting themselves at risk by being near the dust they raise.

In 2010, the California Air Resource Board found that fine particles result in 9,000 premature deaths each year there. [3]

ANIMAL FECES:

Finally, everybody’s favorite topic - poop. Beyond the “ick” factor, animal feces often contain a variety of things that are potentially dangerous to inhale, including toxoplasmosis oocysts which are especially dangerous to pregnant women and young children, potentially resulting in a variety of birth defects and severe illnesses that can last for years.

So all of that stuff is on the soil surface — does it get into the air? Studies show us that yes, they do get airborne with the 150-280 mph winds leaf blowers put out.

The California Air Resources Board did a study specifically on leaf blowers. Among the findings [5]:

"Health effects from hazards identified as being generated by leaf blowers range from mild to serious, but the appearance of those effects depends on exposures: the dose, or how much of the hazard is received by a person, and the exposure time."

Notes:
[1] U.S. EPA, "PM 2.5 NAAQS Implentation," http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/pm/pm25_index.html.

[2] U.S. EPA "Basic Information" (PM 2.5 web page) http://www.

Preview

epa.gov/pmdesignations/basicinfo.htm.

[3] California Air-Resources Board, "Fine particle air pollution responsible for 9,000 premature deaths in California each year, " http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/newsrelease.php?id=149.

[4] U.S. Centers for Disease Control, "Parasites - Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma infection)" http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/disease.html.

[5] California EPA Air Resources Board, "A Report to the California Legislature on the Potential Health and Environmental Impacts of Leaf Blowers," http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/mailouts/msc0005/msc0005.pdf.