low emission lawn care the master gardener connection

Low Emission Lawn CareLow Emission Lawn Care

The Master Gardener The Master Gardener ConnectionConnection

Low Emission Lawn Care www.sbeap.Low Emission Lawn Care www.sbeap.orgorg

22

Low emission lawn careLow emission lawn careWho we areWho we are– City of WichitaCity of Wichita– Conrady Western Inc.Conrady Western Inc.– KSU Small Business Environmental KSU Small Business Environmental

Assistance ProgramAssistance ProgramK-State programK-State programOffice here at Extension (room 104)Office here at Extension (room 104)Provide environmental assistance to small Provide environmental assistance to small business – free, confidential, non-regulatorybusiness – free, confidential, non-regulatoryLawn care project this fallLawn care project this fall


33

Low emission lawn care?Low emission lawn care?

Why - environmental impactWhy - environmental impact– OzoneOzone– Health impactsHealth impacts

A conventional lawn mower pollutes as much in an hour as 40 late A conventional lawn mower pollutes as much in an hour as 40 late model cars. model cars.


44

Program overviewProgram overview

Introductions and program overviewIntroductions and program overview

Defining the air quality problem Defining the air quality problem – what is ozonewhat is ozone– what are the health issues what are the health issues – how does this relate to lawn care and our program?how does this relate to lawn care and our program?

Opportunities to address the problemOpportunities to address the problem– equipment maintenanceequipment maintenance– low emission equipmentlow emission equipment– low maintenance turf options and reduced turf arealow maintenance turf options and reduced turf area


55

Program overviewProgram overview

Conclusion - Why is this important to Conclusion - Why is this important to master gardeners?master gardeners?– Common questions – expert adviseCommon questions – expert advise– Personal and community healthPersonal and community health

Door prizes Door prizes


66

How do we measure air How do we measure air pollution levels?pollution levels?

An air quality monitor is an instrument An air quality monitor is an instrument that takes a sample of air and measures that takes a sample of air and measures the amount of an air pollutant such as the amount of an air pollutant such as ozone or particulate matter in the air.ozone or particulate matter in the air.

All air monitors in the national network All air monitors in the national network have to meet the same strict quality have to meet the same strict quality control standards so that data from all control standards so that data from all sites across the country is accurate and sites across the country is accurate and comparable. comparable.


77

Air Pollutants of Local Air Pollutants of Local ConcernConcern

Ground Level Ozone (O3)

Particulate Matter•PM 2.5•PM 10

Carbon Monoxide (CO)


88

Typical Air Monitoring Typical Air Monitoring Site LayoutSite Layout


99

Air Monitoring NetworkAir Monitoring Network


1010

Health Effects of Health Effects of Exposure to OzoneExposure to Ozone

AsthmaAsthma

is the fastest growing is the fastest growing childhood childhood

disease disease in the United States in the United States


1111

What is Ozone?What is Ozone?Ozone, or smog, is an odorless, colorless Ozone, or smog, is an odorless, colorless gas composed of three oxygen atoms.gas composed of three oxygen atoms.

• Ozone occurs naturally about 10 to 30 miles above the earth and protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

• However, at ground-level in the air we breathe, ozone poses serious risks to human health.


1212

Ozone is not emitted directly into the air Ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is created by a chemical reaction in but is created by a chemical reaction in the air: the air:

Where Does Where Does OzoneOzone Come From?Come From?

O3+ =

VOC + NOx + Heat + Sunlight = Ozone

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) come from cars, trucks, buses, power plants, industrial facilities, citizen activities and other sources.


1313

OzoneOzone

Is a Seasonal Pollutant Is a Seasonal Pollutant

Highest pollution levels in Highest pollution levels in summersummer– (May-September)(May-September)

Hot, sunny afternoons & Hot, sunny afternoons & evenings typically have the evenings typically have the highest ozone concentrationshighest ozone concentrations


1414

What is Ozone What is Ozone Pollution?Pollution?

Every day, the average adult breathes over Every day, the average adult breathes over 3,000 gallons of air, and children breathe even 3,000 gallons of air, and children breathe even more air per pound of body weight.more air per pound of body weight.

Ozone pollution has many effects on public Ozone pollution has many effects on public health. Some of these are very serious.health. Some of these are very serious.

In the air we breathe, ozone poses serious In the air we breathe, ozone poses serious risks to human health.risks to human health.

Environmental repercussions - Ozone also Environmental repercussions - Ozone also adversely affects domestic and native plants adversely affects domestic and native plants and animals.and animals.


1515

Why is Why is OzoneOzone Bad to Bad to Breathe?Breathe?

Ozone can irritate lung and airways, Ozone can irritate lung and airways, and cause inflammation much like a and cause inflammation much like a sunburn on your lungs.sunburn on your lungs.

• Ozone can aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

• 10 to 20 % of all summertime respiratory-related hospital visits in the US are associated with ozone pollution.


1616

Health Effects of Health Effects of Exposure to Exposure to OzoneOzone

CoughingCoughing

• Nose and throat irritation

• Chest pain

• Reduced lung function

• Increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses• Aggravation of asthma

• Children and people with chronic lung diseases are particularly at risk


1717

Ozone PollutionOzone Pollution• WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?

• Possible sourcesPossible sourcesWichita citizens and businesses create our own Wichita citizens and businesses create our own urban air pollution.urban air pollution.

Ozone precursor compounds are transported to the Ozone precursor compounds are transported to the Wichita urban area from Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Wichita urban area from Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, & Oklahoma by our south winds.& Oklahoma by our south winds.

Combination of the two above scenariosCombination of the two above scenarios


1818

What Makes a Bad Air Day What Makes a Bad Air Day ((OzoneOzone) in South Central ) in South Central

Kansas?Kansas?Hot temperatures…+

Sunny skies…+

South winds???

= unhealthy ozone levels

Wichita Dept of Environmental Health and

KDHE are working together to determine:

–What local sources are significant contributors

–The impact of weather and transport from other upwind urban/industrial

areas


1919

Wichita Health Dept. - Ozone 8-Hour

0.000

0.010

0.020

0.030

0.040

0.050

0.060

0.070

0.080

0.090

0.100

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04

Year

PPM

4th High Daily Maximum 8 Hr.

8-Hour Standard = .084 PPM


2020

What is Particulate Matter?What is Particulate Matter?Airborne “particulate matter” consists of many Airborne “particulate matter” consists of many different substances suspended in the air in the form different substances suspended in the air in the form of particles (solid and liquid droplets) that vary widely of particles (solid and liquid droplets) that vary widely in size. in size.


2121

• Fine particles come from a variety of sources such as diesel trucks and buses, construction equipment, power plants, woodstoves, and wildfires.

Fine particles are Fine particles are only a fraction of only a fraction of the size of a the size of a human hair.human hair.

What are Fine Particles?What are Fine Particles?

• Fine particles can also be formed in the atmosphere when gases are transformed by chemical reactions in the air.

Fine Particles(2.5 m)

Cross section of a human hair (magnified to 60 m)

Coarse Particles(10 m)


2222

Why are Fine ParticlesWhy are Fine Particles Bad to Breathe? Bad to Breathe?

Scientific studies have linked fine particles, with Scientific studies have linked fine particles, with a series of significant health problems, because a series of significant health problems, because they easily reach the deepest parts of the lungs.they easily reach the deepest parts of the lungs.

• In the US, particulate matter, especially fine particles, is responsible for 15,000 premature deaths every year.

• Diesel exhaust, a significant source of fine particles, can cause lung cancer.


2323

Health Effects of Exposure Health Effects of Exposure to Fine Particlesto Fine Particles

Premature deathPremature death

• Respiratory related hospital admissions and emergency room visits for cardiac and other conditions

• Aggravated asthma

• Acute respiratory symptoms• Chronic bronchitis• Decreased lung function (shortness of

breath)• People with existing heart and lung disease, as well as the elderly and children, are particularly at risk


2424

What Can You Do?What Can You Do? Avoid strenuous outdoor activities when Avoid strenuous outdoor activities when

ozone levels are highozone levels are high

Share a ride or take public transportationShare a ride or take public transportation

Cut your grass after 6 pmCut your grass after 6 pm

Refuel your car after 6 pm (fuel when it’s Refuel your car after 6 pm (fuel when it’s cool)cool)

Combine your errands into one tripCombine your errands into one trip

Purchase low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles (www.epa.gov/autoemissions)


2525

Why lawn and garden?Why lawn and garden?


2626

Lawn and garden is the largest non-road Lawn and garden is the largest non-road mobile category contributing VOCsmobile category contributing VOCs


2727

Kansas non-road mobile source Kansas non-road mobile source emissions (2002 NEI)emissions (2002 NEI)


2828

Kansas commercial lawn and garden Kansas commercial lawn and garden emissions (2002 NEI)emissions (2002 NEI)


2929

Kansas residential lawn and Kansas residential lawn and garden emissions garden emissions (2002 NEI)(2002 NEI)


3030

Where To Check On Local Air Where To Check On Local Air Quality?Quality?

““Real Time” Air Quality Data on the Real Time” Air Quality Data on the Web at: Web at: www.wichita.gov/aqwww.wichita.gov/aq

Information on Air Quality on the Web Information on Air Quality on the Web at:at:

www.wichita.gov/CityOffices/Environmental/www.wichita.gov/CityOffices/Environmental/AirQuality/AirQuality/

Provides helpful information on air quality issues, Provides helpful information on air quality issues, increases awareness, and provides education to increases awareness, and provides education to citizens and businesses about air pollution and how citizens and businesses about air pollution and how they can help.they can help.


3131

Addressing the problemAddressing the problem

Prevention is bestPrevention is best

Adjusting mow timesAdjusting mow times

Low maintenance turf optionLow maintenance turf option– Existing master gardener publicationsExisting master gardener publications

Low emission equipmentLow emission equipment

Equipment maintenanceEquipment maintenance– Very important and practicalVery important and practical


3232

Reduce emissions through Reduce emissions through maintenancemaintenance

Tune upTune up your lawn mower your lawn mower once a year. This simple-once a year. This simple-to-do task takes 30 to-do task takes 30 minutes or less and cuts minutes or less and cuts your mower's emissions your mower's emissions by up to 50 percent and by up to 50 percent and fuel consumption up to 30 fuel consumption up to 30 percent. percent. (www.mowertuneup.com)(www.mowertuneup.com)


3333

Equipment maintenance - enginesEquipment maintenance - engines

Engine oil and filter Engine oil and filter – Longer lifeLonger life– 25-50 hours or annually25-50 hours or annually

Spark plugsSpark plugs– Better starting – annuallyBetter starting – annually– 2-cycle engines2-cycle engines

Air filters – clean or replaceAir filters – clean or replace– Improves fuel efficiencyImproves fuel efficiency– Improves performance – HPImproves performance – HP– Some 2-cycles have compensating carburetorsSome 2-cycles have compensating carburetors


3434

Equipment maintenanceEquipment maintenance

MowersMowers

Blades – correctly Blades – correctly sharpensharpen– Better looking lawn Better looking lawn

(cut verses torn grass)(cut verses torn grass)– Requires less fuel -Requires less fuel -

saves fuelsaves fuel– Stays sharp longer – Stays sharp longer –

1/641/64thth rule rule– Check 3 holidays Check 3 holidays


3535


Leveling the deckLeveling the deck

Owners manualOwners manual

QuestionsQuestions

Split boom trimmerSplit boom trimmer

Questions:Questions:

Darrel StinsonDarrel Stinson

Conrady WesternConrady Western

John DeereJohn Deere

943-4261943-4261


3636


Disposal of used oilDisposal of used oil– Jiffy LubesJiffy Lubes– Wal-MartWal-Mart– Household Hazardous WasteHousehold Hazardous Waste

Oil, solvents, bad gas, and other Oil, solvents, bad gas, and other chemicalschemicals– Sedgwick County Household Hazardous Sedgwick County Household Hazardous

Waste facility Waste facility (5 blocks South of Kellogg, 2 blocks east of (5 blocks South of Kellogg, 2 blocks east of Seneca)Seneca)


3737

Household Hazardous Waste Household Hazardous Waste FacilityFacility


3838

HHW – swap and shopHHW – swap and shop


3939

Equipment evolutionEquipment evolution

New manufacturers New manufacturers standardsstandards– EPAEPA– CaliforniaCalifornia

Electric equipment – Electric equipment – mowers and handheldmowers and handheld– Issues with batteriesIssues with batteries– Readily availableReadily available

Solar poweredSolar powered


4040

Equipment evolutionEquipment evolution

Reel mowersReel mowers– Readily availableReadily available

HandheldHandheld– 2-cycle verse 4-cycle2-cycle verse 4-cycle– Weight of unitWeight of unit– Scavenge technologyScavenge technology– Compensating carburetorCompensating carburetor– ““easy-start” spring loadedeasy-start” spring loaded


4141

No-spill gas cansNo-spill gas cans

StatsStats– 75% reduction in VOCs75% reduction in VOCs– 17 million gallons spilt 17 million gallons spilt

annually with conventional annually with conventional canscans

Where to get themWhere to get them– Atwood Atwood

6235 N Broadway6235 N Broadway– Woodard MercantileWoodard Mercantile

4160 N. Maize Road4160 N. Maize Road


4242

Low maintenance lawn care Low maintenance lawn care optionsoptions

Prevent need to mowPrevent need to mow– Reduced turf areasReduced turf areas

OrnamentalsOrnamentals

GroundcoverGroundcover

Native plantingNative planting

Low maintenance turf optionsLow maintenance turf options– Chapter 8 Master Gardener manualChapter 8 Master Gardener manual


4343

Low maintenance turfLow maintenance turf

Decrease or minimize fertilizingDecrease or minimize fertilizing– Pages 39-42 Pages 39-42

Turf speciesTurf species– BuffaloBuffalo– ZoysiaZoysia– BermudaBermuda– Tall fescue Tall fescue – Kentucky BluegrassKentucky Bluegrass


4444

Turf optionsTurf optionsFertilizerFertilizer Drought-Drought-

toleranttolerantMowing Mowing seasonseason

Short Short mowingmowing

BuffaloBuffaloPage 19Page 19

LessLess YesYes A – SA – S

shortershorter

YesYes

ZoysiaZoysiaPage 14Page 14

LessLess YesYes A – SA – S

shortershorter

YesYes

BermudaBermudaPage 10Page 10

MoreMore YesYes A – SA – S

shortershorter

yesyes

Fescue Fescue page 7page 7

More +More + ModerateModerate March - March - NovNov

NoNo

Kentucky Kentucky BluegrassBluegrassPage 24Page 24

More+More+ ModerateModerate March - March - NovNov

NoNo


4545

Master Gardener DocumentsMaster Gardener Documents

Chapter 8Chapter 8

K-State fact sheetsK-State fact sheets– Turfgrass selection – professional seriesTurfgrass selection – professional series– Turfgrass mowing – professional seriesTurfgrass mowing – professional series– Mowing your lawn - Mowing your lawn -


4646

Why is this important?Why is this important?

Master gardener connectionMaster gardener connection

Common questions – expert adviseCommon questions – expert advise– Low maintenance turfLow maintenance turf– Brown lawnsBrown lawns– Tune upsTune ups– Equipment choicesEquipment choices

Personal and community healthPersonal and community health

November 2November 2ndnd event event


4747

Door prizesDoor prizes

Gas cansGas cans– Small Business Small Business

Environmental Assistance Environmental Assistance ProgramProgram

John DeereJohn Deere


4848

Suggestions or Questions?Suggestions or Questions?

Wichita -Wichita -call Nancy at call Nancy at 722-7721 ext. 104722-7721 ext. 104

[email protected]@ksu.edu

SBEAP Hotline SBEAP Hotline 800-578-8898800-578-8898www.sbeap.orgwww.sbeap.org

low emission lawn care the master gardener connection

Documents

falllow emission lawn

emission lawn carewho

ozone pollution

air pollutant

gallons of air

air monitors

sample of air

air pollution levels