What Has Been Done to Control Automobile Emissions?
• The Clean Air Act of 1970 gave EPA broad authority to regulate motor vehicle pollution, and the Agency’s emission control policies have become progressively more stringent since the early 1970’s. EPA standards dictate how much pollution autos may emit but automakers decide how to achieve the pollution limits. The emission reductions of the 1970’s came about because of fundamental improvements in engine design, plus the addition of charcoal canisters to collect hydrocarbon vapors and exhaust gas recirculation valves to reduce nitrogen oxides. The advent of “first generation” catalytic converters in 1975 significantly reduced hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. The use of converters provided a huge indirect benefit as well. Because lead inactivates the catalyst, 1975 saw the widespread introduction of unleaded gasoline. This resulted in dramatic reductions in ambient lead levels and alleviated many serious environmental and human health concerns associated with lead pollution. T
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- What Has Been Done to Control Automobile Emissions?
