U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA 420-F-94-002

OFFICE OF MOBILE SOURCES

FACT SHEET OMS-19

May, 1996

Your Yard and Clean Air

Small Engines are Big Polluters

Most people do not associate air pollution with mowing the lawn. Yet emissions

from lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, leaf vacuums, and similar outdoor

power equipment are a significant source of pollution. Today’s small engines emit

high levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. They also

emit hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, pollutants that contribute to the formation of ozone. While ozone occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere and shields

the earth from harmful radiation, ozone at ground level is a noxious pollutant.

Ground-level ozone impairs lung function, inhibits plant growth, and is a key

ingredient of smog.

Emission control for small gasoline engines has not been a crucial design

consideration until now. Consequently, small engines are big polluters. And

power equipment users inadvertently contribute to the problem by carelessly

handling fuel and by improperly maintaining their equipment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the power equipment

industry are working to investigate and bring to market cleaner technology for

small engines.

Pollution Prevention in Your Own Backyard

EPA anticipates that regulations now being developed will bring cleaner lawn

and garden equipment to market within a few years. Meanwhile, consumers can

make a difference by adopting practices that will help protect the environment

now and in the future:

Avoid spilling gasoline.

Preventing spills and overfills is an easy and effective way for power equipment

owners to prevent pollution. Even small gasoline spills evaporate and pollute the

air.

Use a gasoline container you can handle easily and hold securely. Pour slowly

and smoothly. Use a funnel, or a spout with an automatic stop device to prevent

overfilling the gas tank. Keep the cap or spout and the vent hole on gasoline

containers closed tightly. Transport and store gasoline and power equipment out

of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Use caution when pumping gasoline into a

container at the gas station.
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Your Yard and Clean Air

Maintain your equipment.

Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance. Change oil and clean or

replace air filters regularly. Use the proper fuel/oil mixture in two-stroke equipment. Get periodic tune-ups, maintain sharp mower blades, and keep the underside of the deck clean. Take time to winterize equipment each fall.

Consider cleaner options.

Ask your dealer about the new, cleaner gasoline equipment entering the marketplace. Propane and solar options are also available for some types of equipment.

Electric equipment is cleaner than equipment powered by gasoline engines.

Electrically-powered lawn and garden tools produce essentially no pollution

from exhaust emissions or through fuel evaporation. However, generating the

power to run electric equipment does produce pollution.

Use manual tools.

Tools that don't require electric or gasoline engines are especially handy for

small yards or small jobs. Hand tools are available to meet a wide variety of

lawn and garden needs, like lightweight, quiet, easy-to-use reel push mowers

that generate no emissions.

Reduce mowing time.

Use low-maintenance turf grasses or grass/flower seed mixtures that grow slowly and require less mowing. Check with your local agricultural extension service

or lawn and garden center about what is appropriate for your region.

Decrease lawn area. Plant additional trees and shrubs to reduce the energy costs

of heating and cooling your house and to provide landscaping for wildlife. Native

wildflowers and plants require little to no maintenance after planting.

Recycle old equipment.

Instead of selling or giving away your old lawn and garden power tools, take

them to a recycling center where they can be converted into raw material for use

in cleaner equipment and other products.

By combining these strategies, you can reduce your personal contribution to

pollution. In addition, your yard equipment will last longer and you will save

money.

For More Information:

The Office of Mobile Sources is the national center for research and policy on air

pollution from highway and off-highway motor vehicles and equipment. You

can write to us at the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory,

2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Our phone number is (313) 668-4333.