Negative Externality Billing, Inc.

I would like to see a cost benefit analysis on leaf-blowers. In other words, the numbers that satisfy this equation:

([Job Time, Leaf Blower] - [Job Time, Broom]) * Hourly Wage >? ([Cost, Leaf Blower] - [Cost, Broom])

I'm assuming that works out - otherwise economically rational landscaping companies wouldn't use them. Now, what if the costs were fully loaded, and accounted for more than just the initial and operating expenses? Could you somehow include the cost of the noise on the surrounding neighborhood (perhaps as lost productivity), and require payment to those bearing it? Could you do that for all noise generation above some agreed-upon level?

It's an idea that made me smile after I was woken up this morning. Noise is part of the cost of living in a society, and unfortunately quiet can end up a tragedy of the commons. But it doesn't need a vigilante - just an accounting firm with legal precedent and low operating overhead.