From crisis to change
In the 1970s, air quality in the United States, particularly in Los Angeles, was alarmingly high. Lead levels in the air were dozens of times higher than they are today, leading to serious health consequences. However, within just a few decades, this situation has improved dramatically, with air pollution levels dropping sharply nationwide.
Professor Ann E. Carlson, an expert in environmental law at the University of California, Los Angeles, argues that one of the decisive factors was the invention of the catalytic converter by Eugene Houdry. This device helps convert harmful gases from engines into less harmful substances before they are released into the environment.
Despite its great potential, this technology was initially not well-received by automakers. The automotive industry delayed its adoption for years, even being accused of hindering the process of bringing emissions-reducing technology to market. Only when legal pressure increased, particularly after the Clean Air Act of 1970 was enacted, did manufacturers begin to seriously implement it.
This act aimed to reduce car emissions by up to 90% within five years. Notably, at that time, the necessary technology was not yet complete. Some major automakers, such as Ford, warned they might cease production if the regulations were implemented. Nevertheless, the US Congress remained steadfast in pursuing the goal, putting pressure on the industry to innovate.
As a result, a wave of investment in research and development was strongly boosted. Companies like Corning Glass and Engelhard played a crucial role in improving catalytic converters, especially after discovering that this technology worked effectively with unleaded gasoline.
Pioneering role
Professor Ann E. Carlson stated, "While federal law provides the foundation, it is California that has driven rapid and drastic change. By regulation, the state has the authority to set stricter emissions standards than the federal level if granted special permission, and California has fully utilized this right."
While federal courts allowed a delay in enforcing emissions regulations, California did not opt for a relaxation route. Instead, the state demanded stricter standards, forcing automakers to deploy catalytic converter technology sooner, despite facing significant pressure from the automotive industry.
With the support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California was granted an exemption in 1973. State regulations began to apply to vehicles in 1975, turning California into a national “policy laboratory.” Thanks to its large market size, automakers were forced to adapt their products to meet state standards, which then spread nationwide.
This strategy has proven remarkably effective. Catalytic converters have quickly become a global standard, contributing to the removal of large amounts of pollutants from the air. Simultaneously, the elimination of leaded gasoline has significantly reduced lead levels in the environment, providing tangible benefits to public health.
California's stringent standards have also spurred a range of technological innovations, from the development of cleaner fuels to zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars. The state continues to play a leading role in efforts to address climate change and control air pollution.
- The concentration of lead in the air in the US in 1970 was 50 times higher than it is today.
Cars today are about 99% cleaner than they were in 1970.
- Catalytic converters have removed 8 billion tons of air pollutants in the US.
- The blood lead concentration in children in the US between 1976 and 1980 was 15 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL), but by 2010 it had decreased to 0.7 µg/dL.
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/chinh-sach-dan-dat-doi-moi-cong-nghe-post781393.html
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