First Name | Anthony |
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Last Name | DeRIggi |
Email Address | tderiggi@msn.com |
Affiliation | |
Subject | I support sore2021 regulations |
Comment | As a physician concerned about air quality, I support the adoption of new regulations that will phase out the sale of highly-polluting gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn equipment in California beginning in 2024. In addition to the pollution caused by the engine exhaust, blowers can create clouds of industrial pollutants, pollens, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, dried animal feces, dust and demolition debris such as lead and asbestos - further polluting the air we breathe. While these regulations do not prohibit the use of existing polluting equipment, they do propose prohibiting the production of new equipment to sell or lease for use in the State of California beginning in 2024. This is a modest but important step to advance greater use of cleaner, healthier and quieter equipment. As your agency's own research has found, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers in particular causes numerous health problems, greatly contributing to California's sad role as home to seven of the Top Ten most polluted cities in the nation. In fact, California risks losing future federal funding if we continue to fail to meet national air quality standards. CARB's public health benefit analysis determined that these new regulations, if adopted, will result in: $8.8 billion in monetized health benefits through 2043 892 lives saved from premature deaths 438 fewer emergency room visits for asthma 311 fewer hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular issues The California Legislature has appropriated only $30 million for your agency to distribute to small proprietor landscapers and help them begin to acquire and transition to new, zero emission electric and manual equipment. More funding will be needed. Funding also must be provided to support training programs to help landscapers switch to clean tools. Please vote to approve and amend the SORE regulations per the staff recommendation. Anthony DeRiggi, MD Sacramento, CA |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2021-11-29 21:18:31 |
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