STIHL Helps Clean Southern California Air with Low-Emission Leaf Blowers
Leaf blower exchange program reduces 14 tons of smog-forming pollution each year

Release Date: August 2008 Press Contacts: Anita Gambill (757) 486-9151 All other inquiries: STIHL Incorporated (757) 486-9100

LOS ANGELES, CA– The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) once again selected STIHL as its partner in a leaf blower exchange initiative which gives Southern California landscapers and gardeners an opportunity to exchange their high-emission backpack blowers for the low-emission and low-noise STIHL BR 500.

The 2008 AQMD events, held in July and August at various Southern California STIHL servicing dealers, will replace 1,500 old leaf blowers with the STIHL BR 500 which, according to an AQMD press release, is four times cleaner than the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) most stringent standard for new blowers and 50% quieter than a more common leaf blower (65 dB(A) as measured per ANSI B175.2). Each year, at least 14 tons of smog-forming pollution is reduced by the blower exchange.

The AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. For the past three years, the STIHL BR 500 is the only low-emission, low-noise backpack blower to qualify for inclusion in the AQMD leaf blower exchange.

The BR 500 backpack blower is just one in a line of low-emission products in the STIHL family. A recent test of the fuel-efficiency of the low-emission STIHL BR 550 backpack blower by a North Carolina landscaping company found that it could pay for the cost of replacing its fleet of blowers with the newer, fuel-efficient model with just the fuel savings alone in less than two years.

STIHL invests considerable resources in making energy-efficient products that minimize the impact on the environment and is committed to developing powerful, fuel-efficient outdoor power equipment while using production practices that are environmentally responsible. For more information on STIHL support of environmentally responsible efforts, please visit www.stihlusa.com/green.

About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world's largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.

STIHL is pleased to support the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) and the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD).

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