Council considers ban on 'harmful' leaf blowers

Leaf blowers were said to be 'incredibly polluting and potentially damaging'

Edinburgh City Council could consider banning the use of fossil fuel-powered leaf blowers after councillors raised concerns about the health impact on workers.

A motion which recognises that fumes emitted by the devices “have been linked to an increase in the risk of cancer, heart disease and asthma” was unanimously passed at the council's culture and communities committee on Tuesday.

The issue was raised by Green party councillor Alex Staniforth, who said: “These fossil fuel leaf blowers are incredibly polluting and potentially damaging to the health of those who use them."

Mr Staniforth added that there were alternatives including electric leaf blowers and “a good old fashioned rake”.

Fellow Green party councillor Dan Heap also raised concerns of noise pollution, which he said was an issue affecting people in his ward of Broomhouse.

Following the motion being passed, the council will now draft a report considering "ending its own use of fossil-fuel powered leaf blowers, ensuring its contractors do not use fossil-fuel powered leaf blowers and banning or regulating the use of fossil-fuel leaf blowers within the city of Edinburgh".

Mr Staniforth said getting rid of the petrol leaf blowers would improve the health of people and the planet.

He said: "To conclude, fossil fuel leaf blowers may well blow, but they also most definitely suck.”

Reporting by Local Democracy Reporting Service journalist Donald Turvill