A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that is part of a cars exhaust system. It converts toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into less-toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction. The catalytic converter is usually used with internal combustion engines fueled by gasoline or diesel, including lean-burn engines, and sometimes on kerosene heaters and stoves. The first widespread introduction of catalytic converters was in the United States automobile market. To comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's stricter regulation of exhaust emissions, most gasoline-powered vehicles starting with the 1975 model year are equipped with catalytic converters.
The catalytic converter filters out harmful byproducts in the exhaust gases and burns them up, converting them into less harmful emissions before they even leave a car’s exhaust system. The device uses a chamber called a catalyst to change the harmful compounds from an engine's emissions into safe gases, like steam. The catalytic converter is a crucial component in reducing the amount of pollution produced by a car's emissions.
Recently, catalytic converters have become a target for theft due to the valuable metals they contain, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
