early Ford V8 flathead motor catalytic converter?

[5851a]

When I started work they had a whole fleet of battery fork trucks. EPA standards said the fumes from charging batteries was bad. Company switched to propane trucks and that was ok. Now they are switching back to electric and that's supposed to be ok now? This is enclosed buildings and the early truck batteries were charged in 2 plant areas with ventilation to outside, new trucks have chargers everywhere.