This page presents the most common claims made in support of gas leaf blower restrictions—alongside what the evidence actually shows.
Claim: Gas leaf blowers are far louder than electric models.
Fact: Low-noise gas blowers (GLBs) are nearly indistinguishable from battery electric blowers (BLBs).
- Low-noise GLBs are quieter than BLBs if you are within 50 feet.
- They're only 1-4 dBA louder from 50 to 800 feet, a difference that is almost perceptible.
- Indoors, GLBs register 43 dBA — same as a whisper or quiet dishwasher.
Claim: GLBs are major contributors to air pollution and climate change.
Fact: Their contribution is negligible. Even a total ban on
GLBs would leave 99% - 99.95% of U.S. emissions unchanged.
Details |
EPA 2015
(archived)
| Pollutant | % of U.S. Emissions from GLBs | % of U.S. Emisssions remainin if we completely ban GLBs |
|---|---|---|
| CO₂ | 0.053% | 99.947% |
| NOₓ | 0.082% | 99.918 |
| VOCs | 0.27% | 99.83% |
| CO | 1.1% | 98.9% |
Claim: GLB exhaust creates serious health risks.
Fact: California Air Resources Board found only 6 additional
cancer cases per million from non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC)
emissions among heavy GLB users, against a background rate
from NMHCs in the environment of 115 per million. An
unmeasurable increase, and no risk to the general public.
Details | CARB 2018 (archived)
Details | CARB 2018 (archived)
Claim: GLBs generate far more particulate matter (PM) than battery leaf blowers.
Fact: Both types of leafblowers stir up equivalent amounts of
fugitive dust, which dwarfs the particulate matter emissions
from GLBs. Total PM emissions are virtually identical.
Details | Fitz et al. 2006 (archived)
Details | Fitz et al. 2006 (archived)
Claim: Battery-powered blowers are more cost-effective for landscapers.
Fact: No study shows this for commercial-grade use. Most comparisons involve consumer handheld models and ignore runtime.
Details
Details
Claim: A gas blower ban is needed to reduce noise and emissions.
Fact: A seasonal decibel limit, rather than an engine ban, would address noise more fairly. Low-noise GLBs already meet 65 dBA standards.
Details | Echo Low Noise Gas Leaf Blower (archived)
Details | Echo Low Noise Gas Leaf Blower (archived)