Creators Syndicate

FIGHT BACK!  BY DAVID HOROWITZ 

The Backyard Polluters 
         
        Most of our efforts to control sources of air pollution  have
focused on heavy industry and motor vehicles. But power  yard and
gardening equipment contribute a surprisingly large  share of the smog
we breathe. According to the Environmental  Protection Agency, lawn
mowers, chain saws, weed whackers and  other gasoline-powered tools
account for 10 percent of the  pollutants in our air. 
        That's pretty surprising for such small engines. But  pound for
pound, they are powerful polluters. Running a  gasoline lawn mower for
one hour produces as much noxious  exhaust as driving a new car for
11-and-a-half hours. A leaf  blower puts out as much pollution per hour
as 34 hours of  driving, one hour of the weed whacker equals 21 hours
of  driving, and a chain saw compares to 63 hours of driving. 
        Most of these tools are powered by two-cycle engines,  which
are fueled with a mixture of gasoline and lubricating  oil. They make a
lot of smoke. Even the four-stroke engines  on larger mowers lack the
kind of emission controls found on  automobiles. 
        Now, the EPA is going after these power tools with new 
emissions-control regulations to take effect in mid-1996.  These
proposed rules require manufacturers to reduce exhaust  emissions,
primarily by changing the air-fuel mixtures and  improving combustion
efficiency. The government expects these  changes to reduce hydrocarbon
emissions by 32 percent and  carbon monoxide by 14 percent by 2003. 
        Once these controls are in place, the EPA will evaluate  their
effectiveness and decide what steps, if anything, need  to be taken
next. Those steps may include controls on fuel  evaporation, catalytic
converters, fuel injection systems,  redesigned carburetors and
alternative fuels. The EPA says it  has no plans to regulate backyard
barbecues and off-road  vehicles. But there could be controls imposed
on boat engines  -- if not by the federal government, then by state
air- quality agencies. 
        Does this mean we'll have to have our mowers smog tested  and
certified like cars? No. Enforcement of the new rules is  all on the
manufacturing side. As long as a new engine meets  the federal
standards when it leaves the factory, the law  will be satisfied. 
        And what will these new controls cost us? Industry  sources say
they will add only about $5 to the retail price  of most
gasoline-powered yard equipment. *** 
        On the subject of power mowers, 60,000 people are  treated for
mower-related injuries every year in this  country. Most of those
injuries could be avoided with just a  few simple safety precautions: 
        -- Check the lawn for rocks, toys, tools and other hard 
objects that may be thrown like a bullet by the mower blade. 
        -- Be sure all shields, deflectors and grass catchers  are in
place. 
        -- Dress for job: Don't wear shorts or open sandals.  Even a
small rock thrown by a mower can hurt if it hits bare  skin. 
        -- Never refuel the mower indoors, where gasoline fumes  can
collect. If you spill any fuel, wipe it up immediately,  and wait for
the rest to evaporate before you start the  engine. 
        -- Watch for children and pets running into the mowing  area. 
        -- Never leave the mower unattended with the engine  running.
On some models, all it takes is a bump on a lever to  throw it into
gear. 
        -- Never allow small children to "ride along" on a  riding
mower. It's too easy for them to fall from the  driver's seat into the
path of the blades. 
        If you have questions or comments, please write to David 
Horowitz at 72662,1775. COPYRIGHT 1994 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.