To the Editor:
As someone who works from home, I’m writing to address an issue affecting quality of life in our community: gas-powered leaf blowers. These machines have become an inescapable source of noise pollution that disrupts our neighborhoods throughout much of the year, and with particular intensity in the fall and spring.
The roar of gas-powered leaf blowers is not merely an annoyance — it’s a genuine public health concern. According to a peer-reviewed study published by the National Institutes of Health, commercial-grade leaf blowers exceed 100 decibels at the point of operation and reach 85 decibels even at 50 feet away. The noise remains above the World Health Organization’s recommended outdoor standard of 55 decibels at distances up to 800 feet!
What makes this particularly concerning is the nature of the sound itself. These machines produce predominantly low-frequency sound, which travels extended distances, penetrates building walls, and is associated with serious health effects, including sleep disruption, elevated blood pressure, and increased stress hormones. To those sensitive to this noise, this isn’t merely an annoyance — it is a significant detriment to health and well-being.
For those of us working remotely, the sudden blare makes conference calls impossible and concentration nearly unattainable. Given that most properties in Rye are under a quarter of an acre, the necessity of deploying this level of noise-generating equipment is particularly questionable.
Many municipalities have already taken action. Communities across the country have implemented bans or phase-outs of gas-powered leaf blowers, acknowledging that we can maintain our yards without sacrificing public health. This includes one of our sister communities, Larchmont, which successfully phased out gas-powered leaf blowers years ago. Electric powered leaf blowers have come a long way and many landscapers have already invested in these alternatives.
As we approach the mayoral election, I urge all candidates to commit to supporting a transition to quieter alternatives. This is not about preventing lawn care — it’s about doing it in a way that respects the health and well-being of all residents.
—Onur Tuncer
Letter: Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers are a Menace
To the Editor:
As someone who works from home, I’m writing to address an issue affecting quality of life in our community: gas-powered leaf blowers. These machines have become an inescapable source of noise pollution that disrupts our neighborhoods throughout much of the year, and with particular intensity in the fall and spring.
The roar of gas-powered leaf blowers is not merely an annoyance — it’s a genuine public health concern. According to a peer-reviewed study published by the National Institutes of Health, commercial-grade leaf blowers exceed 100 decibels at the point of operation and reach 85 decibels even at 50 feet away. The noise remains above the World Health Organization’s recommended outdoor standard of 55 decibels at distances up to 800 feet!
What makes this particularly concerning is the nature of the sound itself. These machines produce predominantly low-frequency sound, which travels extended distances, penetrates building walls, and is associated with serious health effects, including sleep disruption, elevated blood pressure, and increased stress hormones. To those sensitive to this noise, this isn’t merely an annoyance — it is a significant detriment to health and well-being.
For those of us working remotely, the sudden blare makes conference calls impossible and concentration nearly unattainable. Given that most properties in Rye are under a quarter of an acre, the necessity of deploying this level of noise-generating equipment is particularly questionable.
Many municipalities have already taken action. Communities across the country have implemented bans or phase-outs of gas-powered leaf blowers, acknowledging that we can maintain our yards without sacrificing public health. This includes one of our sister communities, Larchmont, which successfully phased out gas-powered leaf blowers years ago. Electric powered leaf blowers have come a long way and many landscapers have already invested in these alternatives.
As we approach the mayoral election, I urge all candidates to commit to supporting a transition to quieter alternatives. This is not about preventing lawn care — it’s about doing it in a way that respects the health and well-being of all residents.
—Onur Tuncer
FILED UNDER:
Related Articles
Letter: Why I’m Voting for Josh Nathan
Letter: Vote for the City Democrats
Letter: Do Not Vote for McCabe