Group Wants to Silence Leaf Blowers

A group of homeowners in Orinda, California, have formed “Quiet Orinda,” whose goal is to force the city to enact an outright ban on leaf blowers. According to one of the group’s founders, not only are the blowers noisy,  but the engine exhaust fumes and the dust they kick up into the air  pose a health hazard to children and seniors.

If Quiet Orinda is successful, even the use of electric blowers would be illegal because, according to the group’s spokesperson, electric blowers still pollute the air, and most gardeners don't use them.    

Quiet Orinda will petition the city council to join other California cities that have enacted tighter restrictions on leaf blowers. Piedmont banned gas-powered leaf blowers, with the exception of city employees using them on city property, in 1990.

Under current Orinda code, leaf blower use is allowed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. They are banned on a number of major holidays.