Subject: Urgent Request for a Permanent, Comprehensive Ban on All Leaf Blowers

Dear Mayor Gordo, City Council Members, and Director Carmona,

I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the ongoing health and environmental hazards posed by leaf blowers in our city. While I applaud the city’s existing ban on gas-powered leaf blowers and the recent temporary emergency prohibitions following the Eaton Fire, it has become increasingly clear that these measures are insufficient. To truly protect the respiratory health of Pasadena residents, the City Council must implement a permanent and complete ban on all leaf blowers—both gas and electric.

The primary danger lies not just in the engine emissions, but in the particulate matter (PM) these machines forcefully propel into our breathing zone. Leaf blowers generate wind speeds exceeding 150 mph, which aerosolize a toxic cocktail of heavy metals, animal feces, pesticides, mold, and—most critically in our current context—lingering wildfire ash and lead-contaminated soil.

The Critical Health Hazards

Scientific data from the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) confirms that:

• Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5): These microscopic particles bypass the body’s natural filters, entering the deep lung tissue and bloodstream. This triggers asthma attacks, increases the risk of heart attacks, and causes permanent lung damage in children.

• Aerosolized Contaminants: Unlike a rake or a vacuum, a blower suspends “re-entrained” road dust and pollutants in the air for up to a week. For a city still recovering from the Eaton Fire, allowing these devices to stir up potentially toxic ash is a direct threat to public safety.

• Worker Health: The landscapers operating these machines suffer the highest concentration of exposure, often without adequate respiratory protection, leading to long-term chronic illness.

The Failure of the Current Ban

Despite the gas-powered leaf blower ban enacted in 2023, gas-powered machines continue to be used daily throughout Pasadena neighborhoods. Residents frequently observe commercial crews operating gas blowers with total impunity. The current enforcement model—relying on resident complaints and a $100–$500 fine structure—is clearly failing to deter the practice.

Furthermore, simply switching to electric blowers does not solve the particulate matter crisis. An electric blower stirs up the same lead-laden dust and allergens as a gas model. The only health-conscious solution is to return to “low-impact” maintenance—rakes, brooms, and vacuums—which manage debris without turning our air into a respiratory hazard.

A Call to Action

I urge the City Council and the Department of Public Health to:

1. Expand the Ordinance: Transition the current gas-only ban into a total ban on all leaf-blowing devices within city limits.

2. Strict Enforcement: Increase the frequency of active Code Compliance patrols and hold property owners—not just the landscaping laborers—financially responsible for violations.

3. Public Health Mandate: Request a formal health impact assessment from Director Carmona specifically regarding the risks of aerosolized lead and ash from power blowing in post-fire Pasadena.

We are a city that prides itself on innovation and quality of life. It is time our municipal codes reflected the biological reality of the air we breathe. I look forward to seeing this issue placed on the Council’s immediate agenda.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] [Your Address/District] Pasadena Resident