Our mission is to make it more enjoyable to live in Seattle. While there are enormous problems to tackle, such as global warming and poverty, we don't have to wait for eternity to address some of life's simpler problems. In particular, noise, dust, and pollution have increased in our city and the result is more stress and a lower quality of life. By reaching for the low hanging fruit, we believe we can make a difference that all of us can be happy with. At the same time, we also wish to find solutions that are fair to everyone. It's important for people to keep their jobs and it's also important to avoid adding unnecessary costs.
You'll get an occassional email.
Who are we ?
Hello ! I am Peri Hartman, the founder of this organization. I have lived in Seattle most of my life and worked as a professional software developer as well as doing some construction work. I greatly enjoy the outdoors, particularly hiking and also mushroom foraging. I bike, practice martial arts, and do a lot of walking. Seattle is a wonderful place to live and be able to have so much available in the city and close to the city.
I am joined by several other cofounders in Seattle who share my passion to mitigate the problems leaf blowers cause, forming our steering committee. Please welcome Carol M. Ostrom - former health journalist, Kathleen Baker - former educator, and Peggy J. Printz - former international education publisher. In addition, our steering committee proudly includes Linda Cox and Jake Millan.
Our awesome graphics were provided by Ian Webster, hazard-county.com. Copyright © 2020.
About Leaf Blowers
Leaf Blower Noise
Studies published by the World Health Organization show that, in noisy areas, there is an increased use of prescription drugs and an increased frequency of psychiatric symptoms and mental hospital admissions.
Pets, birds, insects, and other animals also suffer, fleeing and cowering from the noise and debris. Even if your pets learn to tolerate the noise, it still adds stress to their lives.
Even with earplugs, operators are subjected to enough noise to create ringing in the ears, possibly resulting in permanent hearing damage. Leaf blowers are deafening, literally !
Leaf Blower Dust
Maybe you haven't been so concerned about what you suck into your lungs. But you might want to know that the dust blasted into the air by leaf blowers contains animal droppings, spores, fungi, pollens, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, brake-lining dust, tire residue, heavy metals, and more. None of this will make you drop dead instantly, but epidemiological studies indicate that they are an important contributing factor to poor health and disease.
Fine particles up to coarse particles, typically heavy metals, around 2.5 microns, can migrate hundreds of miles and stay in the air for days or weeks. 10 micron particles, such as smoke, dirt, mold, can travel up to 30 miles and stay aloft for hours. All are absorbed into the lungs.
Would people be willing to "leave the leaves," at least in some places ? Leaves and grass clippings provide mulch, help build up the soil, and reduce frost damage to plants. What do you think about having your yard crew use a rake and broom where practical ?
Leaf Blower Pollution
It's true, the typical leaf blower generates more non CO2 pollution than a pickup truck. Don't take our word for it, check out this article published by Edmunds:
Leaf Blower's Emissions Dirtier than High-Performance Pick-Up Truck.
The hydrocarbon emissions from a half-hour of yard work with a two-stroke leaf blower are about the same as a 3,900-mile drive from Texas to Alaska in a Ford Raptor. Sure, the truck emits more CO2, but the other noxious emissions - hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide - are up to 300 times higher for the leaf blower.
No matter how you look at the figures, that's a lot of pollution. It's unhealthy to breathe and it adds to urban smog. What do you think we should do ?
You'll get an occassional email.