Choking on an inconsiderate neighbour’s leaf smoke is more than just an irritation: it can pose serious health risks. The open burning of leaves produces particulate matter and hydrocarbons (similar to those found in tobacco smoke), which contain a number of toxic, irritant, and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds, as well as carbon monoxide.
1. The particulate matter consists of tiny particles
2. Because leaves are often moist and burn without proper air circulation (those insidious smouldering fires that last all night!), they often burn poorly, producing high levels of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are chemicals, e.g. aldehydes and ketones, that can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and can cause cancer in the long term.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas that results from incomplete combustion in burning leaf piles.
Carbon monoxide is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and combines with red blood cells. This reduces the amount of oxygen the red blood cells can absorb and supply to body tissues.
Unborn children, newborn infants, smokers, the elderly, and persons with heart and chronic lung disease are the most susceptible to carbon monoxide.
Additionally, burning organic matter also releases carbon dioxide into the air which can contribute to global warming and climate change. Current carbon dioxide levels in the world are 391 parts per million (ppm), a whopping 111ppm greater than pre-industrial levels of 280ppm!
We need to take protecting our air quality seriously.
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I’m sure nobody wants to don respirators just to go outside as residents have to do in Beijing.
Our children may well be faced with that prospect if we do not do something. There are 7 billion people that we share this planet with, and we each need to make sure we are not part of the problem.
The eco-friendly alternative of disposing leaves is to make compost. Composting is a simple process that involves placing yard trimmings and other organic materials such as vegetable peelings into a pile or bin.
Microorganisms gradually break down the yard trimmings. The process is speeded up by watering the compost heap and turning it occasionally to mix in oxygen. You can cover with plastic once watered to keep the moisture in.
Use the compost to enrich your soil — your plants will love it. Also, don’t be afraid to educate your neighbours on the hazards of leaf burning. Awareness is needed.
GOOD AIR QUALITY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY!
Raking vs blowing leaves
1. Leaf blowers burn fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases, rakes don’t [petrol/gas or electric, same difference]. Exhaust pollution per leaf blower per hour is the equivalent of the amount of smog from 17 cars driven for one hour and is localised in the area of blower usage
2. Leaf blowers require maintenance and have ongoing costs, rakes don’t (okay, maybe a fresh nail once in a few years);
3. One leaf blower could buy 10 rakes, about 5 lifetime’s worth –Leaf blowers blow particulate matter (PM) into the air [air speed generally around 250km/h+], composed of dust, fecal matter, pesticides, fungi, chemicals, fertilisers, spores, and street dirt which consists of lead and organic and elemental matter. Anyone got kids who get asthma…?
4.Leaf blowers operate at about 70 Decibels (‘annoyingly loud’) at 15m and 90dB for the operator!
Safe noise levels are around 60dB (half as loud as 70dB). Rakes operate at… well, the sound of raking leaves. I can’t recall ever being woken up on a weekend morning by someone raking leaves.
Wish I had — it would mean I could hear something besides the sound of leaf blowers… mind you it’s the only time I can swear out the front of the house without being heard… erm… off track;
5. Raking burns around 50 calories per hour, leaf blowers burn fossil fuels (oh sorry, I already mentioned that didnt’ I?.)
6. Raking gives you time and enough quiet to think, leaf blowers are so noisy you can’t think at all. Unless your kids are playing in the leaves you’ve raked up.. then it’s getting back to nearly even.
