HEALTH IMPACTS

Exhaust

These two and four-stroke engines are spewing heavy metals and carcinogens that linger at ground level. So as we walk, jog, play, or even sit inside our homes, these highly unfiltered and dirty compounds are landing all around us. 

A 2012 EPA report concluded the well-known adverse health effects of this equipment:

• Benzene, 1,3 butadeine, and formaldehyde are 4 top-ranking cancer-causing compounds, including lymphomas and leukemias.
• Ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter “cause or contribute to early death, heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer.” (Pg 12, EPA study).

On Mondays, one of the highest gardener-activity days, the air quality index dips all around the Palisades. Here’s a real-time look at air quality and particulate matter (PM) from monitoring stations around the Palisades: https://bit.ly/38fiUMM

As with any pollutants, impacts are most severe for children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.

Noise

A Harvard University study warns that gas-gardening equipment noise has adverse health impacts not just on the user, but also on surrounding communities. The low vibration noise travels several city blocks and penetrates building walls. Studies warn that regular exposure to the >80-decibels (at 50 feet) increases chances of heart disease, diabetes, sleep disruption, obesity, and even dementia. (Walker and Banks, 2017). There’s also increasing evidence that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing.

The vibrating and low frequency of gas-powered equipment causes the noise to travel farther (a few city blocks) and pass barriers, including building walls (Pollock et al., 2018; Pasanen et al., 2004).

E-equipment, on the other hand, produces higher frequencies that travel shorter distances and are <50-decibels at 50ft; the absence of vibration also makes them unable to pass building barriers.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Gas-powered gardening equipment is egregiously polluting our air, water, and even our soil. These two- and four-stroke engines emit high levels of hydrocarbons from burned and unburned fuel including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and reactive organic gases.

GLOBAL WARMING

Nitrogen oxide is a harmful greenhouse gas that traps 300x more heat than carbon dioxide (Chrobak, 2021). By using fossil fuels to mow, blow, and trim our gardens, we are releasing more emissions than our gardens can absorb.

SMOG 

When in contact with sunlight, these compounds create smog: In California, gas gardening equipment is creating MORE smog than ALL of our passenger vehicles (EPA, 2021).

These go on to form low-level ozone, which causes the much-reviled brown smog that hovers over Los Angeles. And nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain. Thanks to evaporation, leaf blowers even pollute while they’re not in use. (TerraNova; EPA, 2015)

SOIL AND WATER POLLUTION

The refueling of this equipment also results in gas (and oil) spills that turn into ozone in the summer, and end up in our groundwater and the Santa Monica Bay all year long.

“I read…over 17 million gallons of gas are spilled each year refueling lawn and garden equipment – more petroleum than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.” (EPA Senior Policy Analyst David Piantanida, 2008)

Source: California Air Resources Board, 2017

In short, this outdated equipment is causing health and environmental impacts that are too high to ignore. Hundreds of communities across the USA have ditched the gas. Shouldn’t we?

EASY SOLUTIONS

Fortunately, we can all adopt easy and practical solutions to help create a safer and healthier working and living community while lowering our collective global warming footprint.  Resilient Palisades is collaborating with zero-emissions expert Dan Mabe – the founder of the nationally recognized zero-emissions consulting firm, the American Green Zone Alliance, AGZA. In partnership with the Southern California Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), Dan and his team guide cities and communities and train gardeners in reduced-emissions maintenance practices.

Resilient Palisades and Dan Mabe are here to provide you with the facts, empower you with solutions, and support you and your gardener in making the shift to a zero-emission garden.