What are two major pollutants that vehicle emissions regulations aim to control?

Vehicle emissions regulations primarily focus on controlling pollutants that have significant environmental and health impacts. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are two of the major pollutants targeted by these regulations.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It poses serious health risks, particularly in enclosed spaces, and can lead to harmful effects like impaired oxygen delivery within the body.

Hydrocarbons, on the other hand, are organic compounds that can contribute to ground-level ozone formation, which is a main component of smog. These pollutants are primarily emitted from vehicles and can have serious respiratory effects on humans and contribute to environmental degradation.

In addition to these two, regulations also consider other pollutants, but carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are among the most significant due to their widespread occurrence in vehicle emissions and their direct effects on air quality and public health.