Pollution Caused by Gas Mowers

Gas powered lawn mowers are one of the biggest problems our environment faces each year, producing 5% of our country’s annual pollution. They emit hydrocarbons which are the principle ingredient in smog, carbon monoxide which is a poisonous and deadly gas, carbon dioxide which is a major enemy of the atmosphere, and particulate matter which damages respiratory systems. Still, over 5 million gas powered mowers are sold in the US every year.

This equipment is mainly used during the summer months when ground level ozone (the main component of smog) is at its highest. This causes big problems for those who suffer from asthma and other respiratory conditions. It wasn’t until 1995 that the EPA began regulating emissions standards on gas mowers, and here’s why:

• Within one hour, a typical 3.5 horsepower gas mower emits the same amount of pollutants as a brand new car being driven for 340 miles.

• Over the life of a gas mower, it produces as much air pollution as 43 cars being driven 12,000 miles each.

• One gas powered mower puts out 87lbs of the greenhouse gas CO2 and 54lbs of other pollutants each year.

• Americans burn an average of 800 million gallons of gas each year cutting their lawns.

• 17 million gallons of gasoline and other fuels are spilled each year just for refueling purposes of lawn equipment, which causes groundwater contamination and airborne pollution, especially when the spillage is heated by the sun.

Gas Mower Alternatives

As more and more people realize the effects gas powered mowers can have on each other and the environment, companies like Brill and Sunlawn are creating and designing newer versions of electric and reel mowers. Even though electric mowers don’t eliminate pollution completely, they reduce it drastically due to the fact that there’s no refueling or transportation of fuel. Reel mowers on the other hand, are 100% environmentally friendly, producing 0 carbons and pollutants in the air and on the ground.

Reel mowers should be everyone’s top choice for the switch, however if you decide on an electric mower, make sure you have a dependable power source. Another option provided by Husqvarna is their “auto-mower” lawn mower. This mower is not available directly in the US, but you can special order it from Sweden where it’s manufactured. Also, Gaiam has produced a solar-powered mower, which is basically a solar-modified cordless electric mower by Black and Decker. Still, these mowers require plugging in and charging the battery in order for them to work, consuming some energy and leaving the reel mower to stand as the best eco-friendly option.