The development of the catalytic converter was society's response to smog problems. The installation of this clever device in the exhaust system has been mandatory on all new cars sold in the United States since 1975. It accomplishes three tasks, with varying degree of effectiveness: it converts any CO in the combustion products to CO2. It also facilitates the combustion of any unburned hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. Finally, it also helps to reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides by transforming them into the harmless nitrogen (N2). Because the proper functioning of the catalytic converter is destroyed by lead, the adoption of catalytic converters to.
