Auto Emissions History
In the 1940s, residents of Los Angeles complained of the yellowish haze that hung over the city. Called "smog" because of its appearance as smoke and fog, scientists attributed auto emissions to the poor air quality in many urban areas.
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Los Angeles
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Because of its high concentration of automobiles in post-World War II America, Los Angeles has figured significantly in the history of auto emissions. In 1959, the Los Angeles County Health Department received resident complaints of eye irritation, primarily due to auto emissions, on 187 days of the year. By 1962, the number had climbed to 212 days.
Exhaust
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A typical car produced in 1963, before any attempt was made to control auto emissions, discharged 520 pounds of hydrocarbons, 1,700 pounds of carbon monoxide and 90 pounds of nitrogen oxide for every 10,000 miles of operation. According to a report by the University of Michigan-Dearborn, in 1966, nearly 60 percent of air pollution was a direct result of auto emissions.
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Control
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The first federal Clean Air Act of 1963 brought American air quality to the public's attention and spurred automakers to begin making attempts at controlling the amount of exhaust their vehicles emitted. With the introduction of the catalytic converter in 1975, great strides have been made to control auto emissions in the U.S.
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References
- Photo Credit Los Angeles Smog image by CanonXTiGuy from Fotolia.com
