Ban Noisy Machines
San Fernando Valley residents have good reason to fear for their health because of gardeners using leaf blowers.
Such noisy machines poison the very air we breathe. Besides raising clouds of pesticide-contaminated dust, they also emit cancer-causing hydrocarbons into the air from inefficient two-stroke gasoline engines.
These facts are well-documented by research scientists who study the effects of polluted air on the human body. And we are now being warned to act before it is too late.
So what can concerned citizens do to protect ourselves from the leaf blower menace? Probably not very much unless we are willing to take a stand by writing to our representatives on the Los Angeles City Council.
Down at City Hall, council members are still putting off voting on whether or not to ban the use of leaf blowers despite Councilman (Marvin) Braude calling for faster action on the matter.
Much valuable time is being wasted by delaying action on this important environmental issue.
JOHN B. HART
Woodland Hills
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