Stopped using leaf blowers after I measured the air quality in my own yard

I used to blow leaves every Sunday morning without thinking twice. Then last fall I borrowed my neighbor's air quality meter and ran it for 10 minutes while using my gas blower. The PM2.5 readings hit 150 right in front of my face, which is worse than a bad wildfire day. I switched to a rake and a compost pile instead. It takes me twice as long now but my lungs don't feel wrecked after. Anyone else check the pollution from their own yard tools?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_abby26d ago

Ask @angela191 if that meter is worth buying or should I just trust my coughing fits.

angela19126d ago

The air quality meters really open your eyes. My husband bought one after his asthma got bad, and we tested our old gas mower. Those numbers spiked so high we could hardly believe it. We switched to an electric mower and manual tools for everything else. The yard looks just as nice and nobody in the house is coughing after yard work anymore.