Mower Rules Help Cut Smog

Emmission-control legislation has helped smog-prone areas like Southern California see a significant improvement in air quality. Tighter rules for lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment go into effect next year.

By Erik Skindrud

Emission-control rules are helping people breathe easier in some of America's most populous areas, a study of air quality over the last 25 years shows.

The findings suggest that new standards for cars and lawn mowers will create even more healthful conditions for children and the elderly-the two groups most affected by pollutants commonly referred to as ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The study compared air quality in some of the nation's smoggiest places between two periods: 1980-1991 and 1992-2003. Ten of the smoggiest places, including New York and Los Angeles, improved more than 50 percent over the quarter-century time span.

The study was conducted by the Pacific Research Institute, a conservative think tank based in San Francisco.

Orange County, Calif. south of Los Angeles posted the biggest gain in air quality at 85 percent. Los Angeles experienced at 63 percent improvement during the same period. Philadelphia saw a 44 percent improvement and New York City saw a 51 percent improvement.

The Air Quality Management District of Southern California is offering residents $400 electric lawn mowers for $100 when they trade in internal-combustion mowers. The exchange takes place in May and June. More information is available at https://www.aqmd.gov

The middle of the last century saw some of the nation's worst air quality. Multiple studies since then have shown a link between air pollution and respiratory illness.

In 1961, California became the first state to regulate auto emissions. The Federal government's Clean Air Act became law in 1970. In the 1990s, lawmakers looked at lawn mowers, with California Air Resources Board Tier II emissions standards going into effect in 1999. With California's huge lawn-mower market, the legislation prompted many manufacturers to bring mower products into compliance with the state's rules.

Manufacturers are now creating models that will comply with California's tougher Tier III standards, which will reduce emissions by a further 30 to 35 percent. The Tier III rules cover products sold in California starting on Jan. 1, 2006. Additional emissions regulations for walk-behind and riding mowers go into effect through 2013.