My name is Gary Usrey, and I am one of the leaders of the Virginia Chapter of Elders Climate Action, a national, non-profit organization of elders concerned about climate change and the impact it will have on future generations. Gas-powered leaf blowers (GLBs) are seriously harmful to: both physical and mental health of the users and those in proximity (even inside their homes), our air quality, key wildlife (from pollinators to birds), and our environment. High-decibel, low-frequency noise has been shown to damage hearing, raise blood pressure, disrupt concentration, interfere with children’s learning, and impact mental health. Inefficient 2-stroke engines fail to combust about 30% of the fuel, dumping carcinogens such as benzene, butadiene, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde into our air and emitting particulates that can lodge deep inside the lungs. Using a commercial GLB for one hour emits as much pollution as driving a passenger car 1,100 miles - from Washington to Miami. GLBs are not necessary. Modern electric blowers are just as powerful, with return on investment in 3 or fewer years due to reduced fuel and maintenance costs. Virginia-based Stihl USA aggressively promotes its electric line. GLBs have an outsized impact on our health and air quality; enacting HB 881 would be a significant win for public health, quality of life, and the environment.

Dear Sir/Madam, I'm writing in support of HB881, which would give authority to localities with more than 2,500 residents per square mile, if they choose, to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. These leaf blowers not only are a sound pollution annoyance to residents but they also threaten the our health and environment of our communities. The noise level exceeds permitted levels where I live, in Arlington. Both the excessive noise and toxic fumes have been associated with a wide range of health impacts, including hearing loss, cardiac and respiratory problems, exposure to known carcinogens, interference with children's learning, and reduce concentration, sleep, and work. Low-income workers in the landscaping industry in particular are exposed to these health impacts. Thank you for your consideration.

I support HB881 that will give authority to localities with more than 2,500 residents per square mile to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. I live in Fairfax County where these machines are used almost daily, not only to clean up leave but also to blow mown grass into the street/public severs. They are a nuisance. The operators and neighbors are exposed to loud noise and pollution they emit. If leaf blowers need to be used at all, electric options are available. Thank you!

I support HB881 that will give authority to localities with more than 2,500 residents per square mile, if they choose, to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. These leaf blowers not only are an annoyance to residents but threaten the health and environment of our communities. The noise level exceeds permitted levels at least in Arlington. Both the excessive noise and toxic fumes have been associated with a wide range of health impacts, including hearing loss, cardiac and respiratory problems, exposure to known carcinogens, interference with children's learning, and reduce concentration, sleep, and work. I copied this text from a template but I wholeheartedly endorse every word.

Fully support!

I fully support HB881. Gas-powered leaf blowers are extremely harmful to humans, wildlife and our environment. They pollute the air, cause hearing damage and disrupt the quiet enjoyment of neighborhoods, parks and other outdoor venues. Every locality should have the option to regulate/ban them. Many homeowners have traded their gas-powered leaf blowers, gas-powered lawn mowers and gas-powered snow blowers for battery operated equipment. The battery powered equipment is just as effective, and in many cases, more effective, more efficient and less costly than their gas-powered counterparts. This bill should be passed without further delay.

I support HB881 [or Please support SB687] that will give authority to localities with more than 2,500 residents per square mile, if they choose, to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. These leaf blowers not only are an annoyance to residents but threaten the health and environment of our communities. The noise level exceeds permitted levels at least in Arlington. Both the excessive noise and toxic fumes have been associated with a wide range of health impacts, including hearing loss, cardiac and respiratory problems, exposure to known carcinogens, interference with children's learning, and reduce concentration, sleep, and work. Low-income workers in the landscaping industry in particular are exposed to these health impacts.

I am a Virginia resident writing to request you support HB881 that will give authority to localities with more than 2,500 residents per square mile, if they choose, to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. These leaf blowers not only are an annoyance to residents but threaten the health and environment of our communities. The noise level exceeds permitted levels at least in Arlington. Both the excessive noise and toxic fumes have been associated with a wide range of health impacts, including hearing loss, cardiac and respiratory problems, exposure to known carcinogens, interference with children's learning, and reduce concentration, sleep, and work. Low-income workers in the landscaping industry in particular are exposed to these health impacts. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

I support HB 881. This just allows people to do a ban if they want. This isn't even a ban itself. People should be able to ban this sort of thing if they want to. Again, this isn't even doing a ban! Just let the localities figure out if they want a ban or not. Let it through!

I support giving authority to localities with more than 2,500 residents per square mile, if they choose, to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. These leaf blowers not only are an annoyance to residents but threaten the health and environment of our communities. The noise level exceeds permitted levels at least in Arlington. Both the excessive noise and toxic fumes have been associated with a wide range of health impacts, including hearing loss, cardiac and respiratory problems, exposure to known carcinogens, interference with children's learning, and reduce concentration, sleep, and work. Low-income workers in the landscaping industry in particular are exposed to these health impacts. The issue of GLB excessive noise is especially relevant when you consider that most landscaping companies will use 2 or 3 large GLBs at the same time when doing yards in close residential proximity. This creates noise that is easily heard through walls of a standard house and is extremely disruptive. Then add the fact that you may have two or three other landscaping companies working on the same street, and you have the makings of an industrial work zone in what is supposed to be a calm neighborhood. What is worse, is that for the most part, leaf blowing is performative work…noise equals productivity for people willing to pay for the service. In many cases, the same work could be done with a rake, or definitely with a quiet electric blower.

I strongly support HB881 that will give authority to localities with more than 2,500 residents per square mile, if they choose, to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. These leaf blowers not only are an annoyance to residents but threaten the health and environment of our communities. The noise level exceeds permitted levels in Arlington. The excessive noise and toxic fumes have been associated with a wide range of health impacts, including hearing loss, cardiac and respiratory problems, exposure to known carcinogens, interference with children's learning, and reduce concentration, sleep, and work. Low-income workers in the landscaping industry in particular are exposed to these health impacts, but everyone in earshot is impacted. Thanks for supporting HB881.

Yes, please. Fully support!

I strongly support HB881. This bill will allow local communities to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. While these are mainstays in many homes in the United States they are also huge nuisances to residents. Even more importantly, they emit many toxic fumes that can cause cardiac arrest and even expose people to carcinogens. Low-income people in particular are often exposed to these kinds of fumes. Again, while these devices may seem harmless, they actually have serious impact on our communities, and we should be able to regulate them. Please vote yes on this bill.

I support HB881 that will give authority to localities with more than 2,500 residents per square mile, if they choose, to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. These leaf blowers not only are an annoyance to residents but threaten the health and environment of our communities. The noise level exceeds permitted levels at least in Arlington. Both the excessive noise and toxic fumes have been associated with a wide range of health impacts, including hearing loss, cardiac and respiratory problems, exposure to known carcinogens, interference with children's learning, and reduce concentration, sleep, and work. Low-income workers in the landscaping industry in particular are exposed to these health impacts.

I support HB881 that will give authority to localities with more than 2,500 residents per square mile to ban or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. I live in a high-density area of Arlington where these machines are used regularly. They are a nuisance. The operators are exposed to loud noise and all of us suffer from the pollution they emit. Residents in my condominium complex regularly complain about them and I am not sure who at this point supports their use, especially when electric options are available. Thank you!

I support HB-881 which gives localities the option to implement a gas-powered leaf blower ban if they choose (it does not require it). During the mowing season and into the fall, there is a constant drone from gas-powered leaf blowers in my neighborhood. Gas powered leaf blowers pollute, they are harmful for the health of the operators by potentially damaging their hearing and a much safer alternative exists: electric leaf blowers! HB-881 requires the locale to have a 12 month transition period which gives landscaping companies time to adapt to the change. Last year, I switched to a lawn company that uses all electric equipment and I am so happy with that decision. I also stop the mowing in mid October and rake my own leaves, which I largely leave in beds. This is far better for wildlife (Leave the leaves!). We are polluting our planet with fumes and noise just for the vanity of vacuumed lawns, driveways and sidewalks. Let's get our priorities straight!

I strongly support HB881 to give localities the authority to ban gas powered leaf blowers, if they choose. In Arlington, residents have made clear to the County government that they overwhelmingly support measures to ban gas-powered leaf blowers. As mentioned in other comments. these blowers not only disturb the peace in neighborhoods but the excessive noise and toxic emissions contribute to a variety of health impacts, including hearing loss, exposure to carcinogens, respiratory and cardiac problems, and reduces concentration and interferes with children's learning. Low-income landscape workers are most exposed to these heath dangers. Electric leaf blowers offer a good alternative and in many cases raking, sweeping or just leaving the leaves alone is sufficient. This law is not a mandate but provides localities and their residents the ability to address a problem that is undermining the well-being of their community.

I fully support HB881 and allowing local governments the authority to regulate gas-powered leaf blowers. These machines produce disproportionately high levels of air and noise pollution, without the same emissions controls required for on-road vehicles. In densely populated areas like Northern Virginia, local leaders are best positioned to balance environmental health, public noise concerns, and the needs of residents. Providing municipalities the option to regulate or phase out gas leaf blowers is a reasonable step toward improving local air quality and quality of life.

I urge you to support HB881: Gas-powered leaf blowers; local prohibition or regulation, civil penalty. Gas-powered leaf blowers are harmful to human health, air quality, wildlife, and our environment. They are excessively loud. Their inefficient 2-stroke engines fail to combust about 30 percent of the fuel, releasing carcinogens (such as benzene and formaldehyde) and emitting small particulates that can lodge deep inside the lungs. Using a commercial gas-powered leaf blowers for one hour emits as much pollution as driving a passenger car 1,100 miles. Electric leaf blowers are just as powerful, are much quieter, and cost significantly less to operate due to reduced fuel and maintenance costs. Stihl USA, headquartered here in Virginia Beach, promotes their electric leaf blowers. This bill would not prohibit or regulate gas-powered leaf blowers state-wide. It would only enable localities to prohibit or regulate them. Localities which don’t want to will not be affected. There is no fiscal impact.

Gas powered leaf blowers are a public health, noise, and quality-of-life issue supported by clear evidence. First, air pollution. Most gas leaf blowers use small two-stroke engines, which are highly inefficient and lack modern emission controls. Per hour of operation, a single gas leaf blower can emit pollution comparable to driving a modern car hundreds of miles. These emissions include smog-forming pollutants and fine particulate matter and occur directly in residential neighborhoods, near homes, schools, and sidewalks. Second, health impacts. Leaf blowers do not just emit exhaust; they also re-suspend fine dust into the air—pollen, mold, soil particles, pesticides, and animal waste. These particles, known as PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Exposure is associated with asthma attacks, cardiovascular stress, increased hospital visits, and premature mortality. Children, seniors, people with respiratory conditions, and outdoor workers are especially vulnerable. Third, noise. Gas leaf blowers routinely exceed noise levels associated with stress, sleep disruption, and elevated blood pressure. This is not brief or occasional noise. It is repetitive, prolonged, and often unavoidable for residents, caregivers, and people working from home. Chronic noise exposure is a recognized public health concern, not merely a nuisance. Fourth, worker safety. Landscaping workers experience daily exposure to exhaust fumes, excessive noise, and vibration, often without adequate protective equipment. Reducing reliance on gas blowers lowers occupational health risks while preserving jobs, particularly when policies include reasonable transition periods. Fifth, effective alternatives already exist. Modern electric blowers are significantly quieter, produce zero tailpipe emissions, and are already widely used in both residential and commercial landscaping. Rakes, brooms, and mulching mowers often achieve equal or better results with fewer health and environmental impacts. This is not a technology gap—it is a policy decision. Finally, this is an appropriate role for local government. Cities routinely regulate noise, emissions, and equipment use to protect public health, especially when cleaner alternatives are readily available. Gas-powered leaf blowers represent a high-pollution, low-necessity activity with proven, practical substitutes. Virginia needs to acknowledge best practices from the rest of the country. Restricting or banning gas-powered leaf blowers is a reasonable, evidence-based step to improve air quality, reduce harmful noise, protect workers, and enhance the daily quality of life for residents.

I too support HB 881. As others have noted, the scope of the bill is limited to localities with high high population density, it requires a reasonable transition period, and only permits, but does not require, localities to pass ordinances. I want to speak on behalf of the landscaping/lawn care workers who must operate gas-powered leaf blowers many hours a day. The sound of these machines often exceeds 90-100 decibels, risking permanent hearing loss. They also emit high levels of pollutants, including benzene and formaldehyde, and kick up hazardous dust, mold, and pesticides, leading to risks of respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Few workers are provided masks and ear protection, which are only modestly effective in any case. In high density localities these workers often are often on the job six days a week, and I suspect sometimes seven, and usually have few other options for employment. Transitioning to battery electric leaf blowers would immediately improve their health and safety.

I support HB881. Gas-powered leaf blowers emit toxic fumes that are harmful to anyone nearby, especially to workers who operate this machinery daily—a population less likely to have health insurance or access to medical care. The constant loud noise is unpleasant and can lead to permanent hearing loss for those who operate the equipment. As a nurse, I am concerned about these detrimental health effects. Wildlife is also adversely affected. Fortunately, there are cleaner and quieter alternatives that would benefit everyone involved while allowing landscaping businesses to continue providing this service.

I agree with all the comments mention by the other commentators. The polluntion, the health to the workers, the detriment to the wildlife that cant find a mate or a birdsong, the loudness that overwhelms the neighborhood, the need for workers to wear hearing protection and become unaware of nearby dangers such as road traffic, etc But for me personally as a reciently retired person, I am enjoying having more freetime on my hands. I prefer to spend much of that free time outside working in my yard, garden or in habitat restoration in my local park and I am always dismayed by the almost constant dorne of these machines. There is hardly a day when it isnt present. It certainly isn't the way I want to spend my free time.....when there are so many other ways to deal with an issue that really isnt a necessary issue. Let the leaves remain and rake them if you must..... and a few grass clipping can certainly be swept off the sidewalk or driveway if they are that objectionable. It seems like such a huge cost that we all are paying on so many levels for this way of doing things.

I support HB881. I agree with other comments in support of this bill. As a public health professional, I worry that gas powered leaf blowers emit toxic fumes that harm landscaping professionals and anyone in the vicinity. On a personal note, as someone who loves spending time outdoors volunteering to restore habitat in county parks, the noise and air pollution created by gas powered leaf blowers is unbearable and unacceptable. We have many alternatives that are less damaging to human health and the environment

I JOIN MY FELLOW CITIZENS IN SUPPORT OF HB881. I concur with the other commenters !! I hate gas-powered leaf blowers - they are NOISY and POLLUTE. GAS BLOWERS ruin my peace and quiet. I cannot use and enjoy my property because of the NOISE and pollution from gas blowers which are constant all summer fall and spring. I even hear them in WINTER !! I cannot express how angry I am that anyone would use these when quiet rakes and electric blowers are readily avaialble alternatives. I cannot count how many times I have had to shut my windows and run inside because a landscape company has started BLASTING GAS leaf blowers. They are so loud one hears them ROARING from many blocks away. HAS THE COUNTY NO CONCERN FOR THIS PUBLIC NUISANCE?? DOES THE COUNTY CARE that gas-powered leaf blowers are harmful to our environment, emitting toxic fumes and greenhouse gases?? This is not acceptable when alternatives exist.

I support HB881. It's reasonable to allow localities options to help control the use of GPBs. The localities can then decide if and how to use the option. Many people who oppose regulation of GPBs cite financial concerns. This is interesting to me because they've already committed to paying for these blowers, their maintenance, and have often hired labor, when there is a free alternative (to leave the leaves) and a much lower cost alternative (to rake or scoop the leaves). I do realize there are some contexts where leaf removal may be necessary, for instance in a place where it's required by HOA or other to remove leaves, even if that wouldn't be the resident or property owner's first choice. That said, I think it would be good for advocates and lawmakers to put some effort into providing cost/benefit analysis as a way to give context for financial concerns. For example, there is a lot of available information about the lifetime cost of a person owning one GPB vs one electric and my understanding is that the ROI is realized within 2-3 years. Contrast that with the lifetime cost of living with noise-induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus, which are both incurable and strongly linked to heart disease, dementia, depression, etc. all requiring treatment with extreme associated costs. How do we calculate the societal cost of the degradation of habitat on insect species who rely on leaf litter to survive and go on to feed our reptiles and birds? You get the drift. I realize some people won't change their minds even when presented with this kind of information, so I think this bill is a necessary, strong nudge against that inertia.

I am writing in support of HB881. I concur with the other comments that support the bill and do not want to reiterate everything that was written. That said, I will say that personally I despise gas-powered leaf blowers and see them as the bane of my existence when I am trying to enjoy nature. I volunteer at a local park and I cannot count how many times I had to go inside because a group of landscape employees were blasting several leaf blowers at once and the obnoxious drone was hurting my ears. Aside from personal anecdotes, gas-powered leaf blowers are harmful to our environment, emitting toxic fumes and greenhouse gases. Unfortunately people who like using gas-powered leaf blowers and don't seem to care about the damage to their own health, are harming others who do mind. This is not acceptable when alternatives exist.

I strongly support HB 881. I have lived in Richmond City for over 10 years and have had to move several times due to gas-powered leaf blower noise and pollution. It affects me on a daily basis and I know there are a lot of others that feel the same way. Allowing localities such as Richmond to regulate or ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers if they choose to do so is a positive step for the community. Gas-powered leaf blowers are seriously harmful to the health of the users and those in proximity (even people inside their homes), to our air quality, to key wildlife (e.g., pollinators and birds), and to our environment. High-decibel, low-frequency noise can damage hearing; raise blood pressure; disrupt concentration, sleep, and work; interfere with children’s learning, and even impact mental health. Gas-powered leaf blowers are unnecessary and have an outsized impact on our health, air quality, and environment. Enacting HB 881 would be a significant win for public health and our quality of life.

--I support HB 811 which provides a clear avenue for densely-populated localities to undertake the normal process of passing an ordinance that would prohibit or otherwise regulate the use of gas-powered leaf blowers (GLBs) in accordance with the residents' desires. The bill is permissive, giving agency to localities. There is nothing mandatory about it. -- Some people argue that electric-powered leaf blowers are not able to do the work that GLBs can do. That view is very much out of date. Take it from the Stihl Corporation whose U.S. headquarters are in Virginia Beach; their website states clearly that its electric blowers provide the same power as its gas ones, and outlines the advantages to commercial landscapers in transitioning to electric. -- Given the well-documented damage that GLBs cause to our environment and to our health -- both to the users' health and to ours, the innocent neighbors -- what possible rationale is there for continuing to allow the use of such harmful tools when better alternatives are immediately available? -- Some people complain that the cost of electric blowers is too high for commercial landscapers. The return on investment calculation is unique for every business, depending on a number of factors including the size of a business, the type of work done, the location in Virginia/the country, the climate in that location, and the age of a landscaper's current tools. With savings on fuel and maintenance, a landscaper can break even in as little as a year. And anyway, why should a cost to a landscaper be more important than the cost to the health of the innocent bystanders? -- HB 881 is a modest, sensible response to the GLB threat to the welfare of millions of Virginians in densely-populated parts of the commonwealth.

I strongly support HB 881 - which only applies to densely populated localities, and only if those localities choose to pass such an ordinance. It is an opt-in bill and does not oblige a locality to enact anything. The first comment (from Springfield) is not only incorrect in many aspects, but refuses to take into account the social, public health, and efficiency costs of continuing to use gas leaf blowers. Take efficiency: Saying gas blowers are more efficient than electric blowers is only true in the most narrow selfish sense. A commercial gas blower can produce up to 110 decibels of noise. In densely populated areas this noise has real economic consequences. How many people on Zoom calls lose what is being said? How many other people working at home have their concentration ruined by loud blower noise? Think writers, students, people reading complicated reports, and musicians. How many nightshift workers (medical and airport staff) lose valuable daytime sleep? How many babies wake up mid-nap and have their sleep schedule disrupted causing them to wake for hours at night and their parents with them? How many doctors in hospitals or medical centers consulting with colleagues are distracted by gas blower noise? Did you even attempt to calculate how much efficiency is lost in the whole community before declaring that such equipment is "more efficient". "Efficient" for whom? Or do you consider other people's time worthless? And there's the social and quality-of-life aspect: In the fall now, what used to be reasonably quiet neighborhoods are invaded by loud industrial noise. Quiet time gardening in one's own yard is many times not possible any more. Family meals on the deck or patio are constantly disrupted. Children's parties anyone? It's hard to predict the arrival of lawn crews. The lawn mower is bad enough, but we are used to mower noise and it is generally of short duration. It's the loud high-pitched whine of the gas blower that sets folks on edge, especially when such blowers are performing work of little or marginal value, often blowing mere handfuls of leaves from property line to curb, blowing barely visible grass clippings off driveways, blowing leaves out from deep under bushes, blowing leaves from trails in our parks. There's also the public health aspect: operating a commercial gas blower emits as much ozone-causing pollution as driving a car 1,1000 miles. (Compare to a commercial gas lawn mower: one hour of use is equivalent to driving 300 miles.) Why this matters? The air quality in many urban areas, especially in Northern Va is considered a marginal attainment zone for ozone. And who bears the brunt of this air and noise pollution - much more so than residents of suburban neighborhoods? What about those operating this equipment? Multiple studies link PM2.5 exposure to male infertility. Should workers damage their hearing, health, and ability to start a family just to create leaf-free landscapes? ? That electric gas blowers are not as powerful and, over time, as economic as gas equipment is false. Please consult the American Green Zone Alliance. Gas blowers can be recycled! (Falls Church, VA, does this.)

I support the bill. The first comment, however, mischaracterizes the bill. The bill will not require localities to prohibit or regulate the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, but gives them the freedom to do so if they wish. The bill would not affect all of Virginia but give freedom of choice to localities having at least 2,500 people per square mile. That said, the negatives of GLB use far outweigh the points raised in the first comment. GLBs are seriously harmful to users’ health and to those in proximity, to our air quality, to key wildlife, and to our environment. High-decibel, low-frequency noise can damage hearing; raise blood pressure; disrupt concentration, sleep, and work; interfere with children’s learning, and even impact mental health. Inefficient 2-stroke engines fail to combust about 30% of the fuel, dumping carcinogens such as benzene and formaldehyde into our air, and emitting particulates that can lodge deep inside the lungs. Modern electric leaf blowers are just as powerful, are much quieter, and cost significantly less to operate than GLBs due to reduced fuel and maintenance costs. Virginia-based Stihl USA aggressively promotes its electric line. It would require at least a 12-month transition period before any ordinance takes effect. Undoubtedly some GLBs would be aging out or should be aged out during such a time frame. GLBs have an outsized impact on our health, air quality, and environment. Enacting HB 881/SB 687 would be a significant win for public health and our quality of life.

I am writing as a Virginia homeowner to respectfully oppose any proposal to ban gas-powered leaf blowers. As a homeowner, I am concerned about the direct financial and practical impact such a ban would impose. Gas-powered leaf blowers remain the most effective and reliable option for maintaining larger properties, managing heavy seasonal leaf fall, and completing work efficiently. Comparable electric alternatives often require multiple batteries, frequent recharging, and higher upfront costs, making them impractical and significantly more expensive for many homeowners. A ban would force residents to replace functional equipment with less capable alternatives, increasing household expenses without a clear corresponding benefit. Additionally, a mandated transition would result in substantial and unnecessary environmental waste. Thousands of perfectly functional gas-powered leaf blowers would be prematurely discarded, contributing to landfill volume and environmental harm. Manufacturing, shipping, and disposing of replacement electric equipment, including batteries with limited lifespans, carries its own environmental costs that should not be overlooked. Requiring the disposal of durable, serviceable equipment contradicts the broader goal of sustainability. I fully support reasonable efforts to reduce emissions and encourage cleaner technologies. However, an outright ban is a blunt approach that overlooks real world use cases, homeowner affordability, and unintended environmental consequences. A more balanced policy, such as voluntary incentives, emissions standards, or gradual transitions, would better serve both residents and environmental goals without imposing undue burdens. Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate your attention to the concerns of homeowners across the Commonwealth.