The American Lung Association says the average ozone level in Los Angeles was the worst of any American city last year. The CA Air Resources Board estimates that air pollution causes 9,200 premature deaths per year in California.

Hydrocarbon emissions from 30 minutes of leaf blower usage = 7,700 miles of driving.

Carbon monoxide from 30 minutes of leaf blower usage = 440 miles of driving.

(ARB Report Source).

Gas Blowers are an obvious place to start in cleaning our air.

What we can do:

We can make a dramatic change just by either switching from gas powered leaf blowers to electrically powered leaf blowers OR by simply raking and brooming instead. Another suggestion is to let the leaves deteriorate naturally as nature intended and provide nutrients to the ground (mulch them instead). You can also help by spreading the word about the harmful effects from using a gas leaf blower and letting people know that they have actually become illegal to use in some cities like Los Angeles and that you can be fined.