"I thought my car was on fire after my accident. My airbag went off with such a noise and the next thing I knew I was surrounded by smoke. I just knew I had to get out of there!"
Whenever an airbag deploys, the occupants are subjected to an array of chemicals and substances foreign to most people. New information regarding these combustibles is now available. We have learned of potentially harmful side effects as airbags continue to evolve.
(photo courtesy of National Science Foundation)
At Airbagsolutions.com, we keep you informed so you and your customers will have the most recent and practical data. We continually monitor and research new information from all the manufacturers as well as independent studies to stay on top of our field.
These are the results of the information available today regarding chemicals and dangers in airbags.
Before a Deployment
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This is the most dangerous time to handle an airbag! The air bag inflator cartridges contain an explosive chemical, sodium azide. This is the same chemical used in making solid rocket propellants.
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(photo courtesy of www.swicofil.com)
If the airbag has not been deployed, this material can be dangerous to handle. It can explode, it can cause burns if it gets on unprotected skin, and it can severely irritate the lungs if inhaled. These units are sealed from the factory and should never be opened, or tampered with. They are a "replacement only" item.
Driver's Airbag w/ Inflator Seat Airbag w/ Inflator
The danger is amplified if sodium azide comes in contact with heavy metals in the car, such as lead and copper, because these may react to form a volatile explosive.
NaN3 + H2O ---> HN3 + NaOH.
But most importantly, when sodium azide (NaNO3) is mixed with water (sweat or tears) it forms hydrazoic acid (HN3). This new chemical is highly toxic, becomes airborne easily and is potentially explosive. The other byproduct is Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and this is the one that hurts!!!
Here is a list of the medical information available regarding
Sodium Hydroxide
Potential Health Effects
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Inhalation:
Severe irritant. Effects from inhalation of dust or mist vary from mild irritation to serious damage of the upper respiratory tract, depending on severity of exposure. Symptoms may include sneezing, sore throat or runny nose. Severe pneumonitis may occur.
Ingestion:
Corrosive! Swallowing may cause severe burns of mouth, throat, and stomach. Severe scarring of tissue and death may result. Symptoms may include bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, fall in blood pressure. Damage may appear days after exposure.
Skin Contact:
Corrosive! Contact with skin can cause irritation or severe burns and scarring with greater exposures.
Eye Contact:
Corrosive! Causes irritation of eyes, and with greater exposures it can cause burns that may result in permanent impairment of vision, even blindness.
Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged contact with dilute solutions or dust has a destructive effect upon tissue.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.
(source..Material Safety Data Sheet )
During a Deployment
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Airbags use cornstarch or some other powder to help lubricate them. The powder floats around in a cloud for a few minutes after the airbag is deployed, and that looks like smoke. Although the airbag cloud is usually harmless and is not a fire or fire hazard, there have been reported cases of the airbag itself catching fire during a deployment. The smoky cloud may cause mild respiratory distress. If you have trouble breathing, you should step away from the cloud to get to fresh air.
There are also serious and physical dangers reported by hundreds of accident victims. Scrapes from the abrasive material and burns from the high heat during deployment are among the most common complaints and concerns.
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After a Deployment
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After the air bags have been deployed, handling and disposing of the airbag is no longer dangerous, and you will not have to take special handling precautions, however latex gloves and breathing filters are both recommended by the manufacturers.
(photo courtesy of Stolen & Recovered)
If the vehicle is going to a salvage yard, laws in most states require the airbags to be manually deployed.