Toronto looking at banning two-stroke leaf blowers

It’s time to look at whether using leaf blowers in Toronto should be banned, the city’s infrastructure and environment committee decided Thursday.

“I think it’s about time we looked at some of these dated technologies and took them out of use,” said Coun. Mike Layton, speaking in support of the motion by Coun. Shelley Carroll (Ward 17 Don Valley North).

Layton (Ward 11 University-Rosedale) was referring to the two-stroke engines that typically power leaf-blowers. They run on a mix of oil and gas that produces aerosolized pollutants, disrupts soil biology and destroys insect habitats that help sustain a healthy ecosystem, according to published research.

Full story