City Gas Leaf Blower Ban Now In Effect: Now Pasadena

As of today, gas-powered leaf blowers are banned in Pasadena.

Violations of the ban could result in fines of $116 for the first offense, $238 for the second, $599 for the third and $1,000 for the fourth and subsequent offenses.

The fine would be imposed on the machine operator, there would be no liability on the owners who hired the machine operator.

“Our recently enacted policy to eliminate the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Pasadena is an important step forward in the city’s overall commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mayor Victor Gordo. “It will move us all in the positive direction [towards] cleaner energy sources that benefit all Pasadena residents.”

At the beginning of this week, the City Council held a workshop. The event included hands-on demonstrations and details on how to get discounts on equipment.

According to Councilman Tyron Hampton, the event served as a kickoff for small business owners and business owners to learn about the cities new regulations.

“The city’s planning and code enforcement department, the division and partnering with local vendors and businesses, showcased the latest technology and helped business owners fill out Grant paperwork to receive grant dollars from ‘AQMD,’ Hampton said. Pasadena now.

“This is the first of many meetings. The turnout was good, but there is still more work to be done to educate our neighbors and business owners.”

Gas leaf blowers run on two-stroke engines and produce known carcinogens, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has classified benzene as “carcinogenic to humans” based on sufficient evidence that it causes acute myeloid leukemia.

The IARC also notes that exposure to benzene has been linked to acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Two-stroke engines do not have an independent lubrication system, so the fuel must be mixed with oil.

It takes about four ounces of oil for every gallon of gasoline to run the engine, but all of that oil doesn’t burn properly, resulting in the release of air pollutants that escape the engine in large quantities.

If the same type of engine were placed in a car, it would burn a gallon of oil every 1,000 miles. An Edmunds report found that it emitted more carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons than a high-performance pickup truck.

The pickup truck would have to travel 3,000 miles to put the same amount of pollutants into the air.

A new state law bans the sale of gas leaf blowers beginning in 2024.

“I’m grateful for the start of the ban because of the environmental and health effects caused by emissions from gas machines,” said Councilwoman Jess Rivas. “However, the city must continue to help small businesses with the transition, as we did this week through the workshop held at Brookside Park.”

Rivas said details on discounts, trade-ins and vouchers for electric blowers are available on the City’s website here: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/gas-powered-leaf-blower-ban/

Electric leaf blower technology has advanced substantially, some of these units are more powerful than gas units and can provide over an hour of use without a charge.

“The ban shows our commitment to reducing our carbon dioxide emissions which contribute to climate change; and our effort to improve air quality, public health and noise pollution,” said Councilors Justin Jones. “In efforts to make this transition as smooth as possible for all members of the our community, small business owners, etc. who have used gas leaf blowers, the Council organized a hands-on training workshop with the manufacturers and also provided information. for bonuses/vouchers. We thank all the city departments that have collaborated to bring this information to those directly affected by this change. Our office will remain available to assist.”

There are currently two programs that offer rebates to small businesses and single landscapers to trade in gas-powered leaf blowers for electric blowers.

“A ban on gas leaf blowers has been a long time coming,” said Councilor Jason Lyon. “They are bad for the environment, for workers and for neighborhoods. With incentives and training, the city has worked very hard to make the transition to electric fans as smooth and painless as possible for landscapers and gardeners. I’m really looking forward to waking up on Saturday with a little less air and noise pollution.”

A new state law bans the sale of gas leaf blowers beginning in 2024.

“Today’s citywide ban on gas-powered leaf blowers is the next step in the city’s ongoing efforts to combat climate change at the local level,” said Councilman Steve Madison. “While the ban will be implemented statewide starting in January, Pasadena is a leader in this space. We know the science is clear that we need to act now. Gas-powered leaf blowers negatively affect our health and environment by creating emissions that form smog, toxic fumes and carbon dioxide emissions, so this ban will help protect public health and improve air quality.”