“In one year, most conventional lawn mowers spew more pollution into our air than a car driven more than 20,000 miles.”  --William A. Burke, Ed.D., AQMD’s Governing Board Chairman

“A significant portion of NOx and PM emissions from gasoline-fueled lawn and garden equipment can be attributed to the commercial sector.”  --South Coast AQMD. Lawn and Gardening emissions make up 14% of NOx emissions in the Off-Road category.

Fact: According to the EPA, one gas mower spews 88 lbs. of the greenhouse gas CO₂, and 34 lbs. of other pollutants into the air every year.

Fact: Over 17 million gallons of gas are accidentally spilled each year in the process of refueling lawn and garden equipment – more oil than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez in Alaska. In addition to groundwater contamination, spilled fuel that evaporates into the air and volatile organic compounds spit out by small engines make smog-forming ozone when cooked by heat and sunlight.

EPA Statistics: Gas Mowers represent 5% of U.S. Air Pollution 

Each weekend, about 54 million Americans mow their lawns, using 800 million gallons of gas per year and producing tons of air pollutants. Garden equipment engines emit high levels of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, producing up to 5% of the nation's air pollution and a good deal more in metropolitan areas.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a new gas-powered lawn mower produces as many volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides emissions in one hour of air-polluting operation as 11 new cars each being driven for one hour.

Calculate Your Emissions

Until 1995, lawnmower emissions were unregulated. Older, more powerful, less efficient two-cycle engines release 25-30% of their oil and gas unburned into the air. Gas mowers emit hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen (the principle ingredients of smog), particulate matter (damaging to the respiratory system), carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) and carbon dioxide (contributing to global warming). The health toll includes cancer as well as damage to lungs, heart, and both the immune and detoxification systems. Plus smog inhibits plant growth.