Blue Collar Trend: Leaf Blower Bans

May 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Throughout the U.S., communities have considered enacting a potential ban on the popular landscaping tool at the request of residents concerned about noise pollution and public health risks.  Leaf blower bans impose restrictions on the use of the popular landscaping design tool.  

The landscaper trend of leaf blower bans initially started in the 1990s, but began to die down over time as the landscaping equipment industry developed better strategies to handle these challenges.  Recently, residents in Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, and Florida communities have taken up the debate again, pushing for leaf blower bans.

Citizens concerned with the noise pollution have pressured local officials to support bans on leaf blowers.  In many communities, landscaping equipment testing measures were put in place to gauge the noise levels.  Acceptable dBA noise levels for leaf blower landscaping tools were included in these ordinances.  Some ordinances assign a schedule for when landscaping companies can use these gardening tools.

In addition to noise levels, citizens are wary of the impact the gardening tool has on public health when in use.  A combination of exhaust fumes from the leaf blower combined with other existing air pollutants pose potential health risks.  Health concerns raised by the public have resulted in tough ordinances prohibiting the use of gas, battery-powered or electric leaf blowers.

With leaf blower bans in place, some landscaping companies have introduced higher rates for services to account for time lost in productivity for less efficient processes required for leaf removal.   The introduction of quieter landscaping equipment and pollution-free leaf blower alternatives are likely to accompany this trend.

Follow @bluecollarnews for more on blue collar business trends, tips and news.