Dr. Jamie Banks of Quiet Communities to Speak at International Air Quality Conference See the press release below for more information. Quiet Communities to Present Lawn and Garden Emissions Data LINCOLN, MA– Quiet Communities, Inc., which works to protect public health and the environment from the hazards of outdoor landscape maintenance equipment, announced that its executive […]
Quiet Lawn Care May Be Coming to Boston Suburbs
Quiet Lawn Care May Be Coming to Boston Suburbs! See our most recent press release below for more information about developments at Quiet Communities. A Fresh Approach to Reducing Landscape-Equipment Noise and Air Pollution Concerned about the health effects of landscape maintenance machinery on both users and the public at large, representatives from six Boston […]
Fine Particulates Increases Risk of Childhood Autism
Fine particulate matter is emitted annually in the billions of pounds by gas-powered leaf blowers and other small lawn and garden engines used in our neighborhoods, parks, schools and workplaces. A new study from researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health shows that pregnant women exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter, especially […]
They’re doing it in NYC with Jackhammers
The same basic story but this time it’s jackhammers in New York. The city has received approximately 9,000 complaints from citizens about jackhammer noise, especially at night. Jackhammers, or pneumatic drills, typically used to break up rock and concrete are powered by compressed air and generate noise of 100+ decibels, similar to commercial grade gas-powered […]
Man vs Machine: The Rake vs The Leaf Blower
In this objective and fairly designed contest in New England, two fit men, one with a rake and one with a leaf blower, work on equal sections of leaf-covered ground to see which method is faster. Check it out to see who wins. You can watch it all happen on the video. http://www.theday.com/article/20131115/INTERACT010102/131119799
The First Municipal Park in the Nation Goes Emissions-Free
July 20, 2014, South Pasadena, CA. Michael Cacciotti, city council member and former mayor, announced at the city’s Green Living Expo, that Garfield Park will be the first municipal property in the nation to be quietly maintained with zero emissions lawn and garden equipment. “This park will be all green: no gas, no oil, no […]
Long Island Group Takes Action
June 19, 2014, Huntington, NY. A recent Newsday article highlights the efforts of Citizens Appeal for Leaf Blower Moderation (CALM), based in Huntington, NY. The group is working to raise awareness about the health and environmental impacts of gas-powered landscape equipment and to inform the public about the availability of cleaner, quieter alternatives. Founding CALM […]
Town Board of Health Confirms Health Hazards of Leaf Blowers
March 5, 2014, Lincoln, MA. Following review of an extensive research report developed by Quiet Communities, the Board of Health in Lincoln, MA issued the following statement: “Exposure to high intensity, episodic or long duration noise and air particulate and vapor dispersion from leaf blowers represents significant potential health hazards to our citizens. The Board […]
Environmental Noise: A Public Health Threat in the United States
February 2014. In an article published in the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, a team of researchers from the University of Michigan estimates more than 100 million Americans are at risk for disease because of environmental noise. A large body of evidence implicates exposure to noise with stress, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, heart disease and other […]
Good Move, State Senator Ranker!
The Olympian reports that on Tuesday, Jan 21st State Senator Kevin Ranker proposed a bill to ban the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers by Washington state agencies. Electric powered blowers would still be permitted and use of rakes and brooms encouraged. The rationale for the bill is excessive noise and greenhouse gas emissions. If only […]
