Why is the carbon monoxide of automobile exhaust converted to carbon dioxide in the catalytic converters though both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide add to air pollution?

Explanation

Carbon monoxide is formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels. It is not a constituent of normal atmospheric air. It is a pollutant. When it is released, the inhalation of the air with carbon monoxide results in reduction in the oxygen intake. Hence, it is converted to `CO_(2)` in the catalytic converters. Though `CO_(2)` is released into the atmosphere, it does not cause much damage immediately. Only in the long run, an increase in the levels of `CO_(2)` in the atmospheric air results in global warming. This can be prevented by growing more trees and decreasing the density of the population. Such measures are not possible for carbon monoxide pollution. Hence, `CO_(2)` is a less harmful pollutant than CO.