Catalytic converters in cars reduce harmful emissions, required in the US since 1975. They use metal catalysts to convert noxious gases into less harmful ones, but also contribute to global warming.
A catalytic converter is a device installed in automobiles that is designed to reduce harmful emissions released from the vehicle’s exhaust. In the United States, all vehicles produced after 1975 are required to have one as part of an attempt to reduce air pollution.
Car emissions consist of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. When these gases are not treated, they are emitted by automobiles and become the largest source of ozone at ground level. Ground level ozone is responsible for smog, respiratory problems, and damage to plant life. A catalytic converter uses metal catalysts, usually platinum, rhodium or palladium, which cause a chemical reaction with the noxious gases, converting them into less harmful gases.
The catalytic converter was developed in the 1960s, and by the 1970s, most vehicles were equipped with one. In 1975, the United States Clean Air Act required a 75% reduction in emissions on all new vehicles, which was achieved with the use of the device. It is constantly being improved and is now more efficient than ever. In the United States, these improvements are in line with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)’s more stringent amendments to the Clean Air Act.
Although the catalytic converter has been very successful in reducing dangerous pollutants released by cars, particularly ground-level ozone, it has been criticized. It can help solve a serious environmental problem, but its use is a trade-off at the expense of increased global warming. The converter creates and releases gases into the atmosphere responsible for global warming. The system increases carbon dioxide, which is released along with harmful gases from the vehicle’s exhaust system. Carbon monoxide, which turns into carbon dioxide, is responsible for absorbing the sun’s infrared waves and causing the planet to heat up.
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