The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental nonprofit Resilient Palisades to deliver a weekly “green tip” to our readers. This week’s tip was written by Sheda Morshed.
Change is difficult. But sometimes, it is necessary.
Last week, due to the high pollution and health risks associated with gas-powered garden equipment, California became the first state to phase out their sale.
In short, Assembly Bill 1346 will benefit everyone. Going gas-free on your property will eliminate substantial loads of heavy metals and carcinogens, ozone (the main component of smog), climate-changing emissions, fine particulate matter, cortisol-inducing noise and water pollutants.
Q: What does AB 1346 ban?
Starting as early as January 1, 2024—the CA Air Resources Board will determine the start date feasibility—the sale of all new small off-road engines, primarily used in lawn and garden equipment, will be banned. The use of this equipment will not be banned.
Q: Why was this law signed when there are so many other sources of pollution?
Gas garden equipment has been overlooked as a major source of the above-listed pollutants for years. Consider this ban as a red flag for the continued use of this equipment.
A 2021 study shared by CA Air Resources Board revealed that California’s small off-road engines, 77% of which are residential garden equipment, create more emissions than all of the passenger cars on the road.
Our gas mowers, blowers, hedge and string trimmers are also emitting three of the top-ranking cancer-causing compounds, including those linked to lymphomas and leukemia, according to a study by Jamie Banks and Robert McConnell titled National Lawn and Garden Equipment Emissions.
And due to the weight of these compounds, they don’t float away. They linger at ground level and land on lawns, picnic tables, playgrounds and pets’ water bowls.
Q. Is this unfair to gardeners and landcare companies?
This isn’t news to anyone in the industry. CA’s Air Resources Board and our Air Quality Management Districts have been promoting and incentivizing the gas-free gardens transition for a few years. And many professionals across California have successfully switched to 100% gas-free maintenance, ranging from independent residential gardeners to large crews at city parks and institutions like USC.
Also, electric equipment is safer for operators, and far less expensive to use and maintain. Gardeners can tackle steep upfront costs with the South Coast Air Quality Management’s commercial trade-in rebates. or ask for assistance from homeowners and other employers.
Q. Aren’t gas leaf blowers illegal in LA?
A 1998 Los Angeles ordinance banned the use of a gas blower within 500 feet of a residence, but with laxed enforcement and a void of homeowner and gardener education programs, gas-free yards have yet to become the new norm.
Q. Should I wait until 2024?
This is a very low hanging fruit to tackling a big problem. And every hour makes a difference. So, don’t wait. Visit resilientpalisades.org/greengardens to go gas-free today.
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