Blower ban supporters unite!

Those of us in Newton MA who have been battling for an ordinance to limit the use of gas leaf blowers welcome the fine letter from Sonoma CALM in support of the ban on gas leaf blowers. But there’s one caveat: electric blowers are quieter and free us from gas engine exhaust, but they still blow toxic dust around, so even if they blow less because less powerful, they still shouldn’t be used at all. Hand rakes and brooms or electric sweepers for large hard surfaces need to replace all blowers. Only that will make a real difference to the damage to health that the workers suffer most.

Andrew Martin, Newton, MA