Lately, we have received numerous calls and emails about airbags causing breathing difficulties. Most people wonder whether airbag deployment has been linked to such problems, especially when someone already has asthma or other conditions that affect breathing and respiration.
The answer is clearly YES.
The automotive industry has known for many, many years that air bag deployment can cause breathing problems, and that those problems can be especially severe when a person has pre-existing respiratory conditions. Here’s why:
Air bag deployment is often based on the burning of chemicals. The most widely used chemical is sodium azide. When it burns, it generates not only nitrogen gas that fills the airbag, but also numerous by-products. In this way, it is similar to the burning of gas in your engine creating numerous by-products that come out of your exhaust system. Although other airbag inflators may use stored gas, they also have a “heating element”, which means another chemical that is burned to heat and expand the gas that inflates the airbag. Because no combustion is 100% pure, there are always by-products produced by all of these inflators.
The by-products fall within two broad categories: gases and particulates. Gases that are produced can include those that have been linked to severe injuries, such as benzene and toluene. Particulates are small particles that are suspended in the air, which appear as smoke or dust. They are the reason that many people report seeing smoke in their car after an airbag deploys. This is because all airbags have venting, either through the porous fabric or through vent holes, that allow the smoke to escape from the airbag, as seen in this photo:
Collectively, gases and particulates from an air bag are called “effluent”, which simply means they flow out from the air bag during deployment.
The concerns over the harm that could be caused by these airbag chemicals led the Society of Automotive Engineers to create a standard for measuring these by-products. That standard lists numerous chemicals that should be measured by the manufacturers to determine the risk of injury posed by their inflators.
More than a decade ago, General Motors conducted tests to evaluate the effects of these chemicals on people exposed to air bag deployment. I know, since I personally saw such testing. I provided a car for the testing, as well as many air bag modules, and the testing was conducted by scientists at the General Motors Research Laboratories. The results were astounding.
Volunteers were used for such testing. They sat in the back seat of the car, with medical professionals supervising the testing. There were also numerous instruments in the vehicle to measure the amount of gases and particulates, as well as their types and sizes. The intent was to have the volunteer stay in the car, with the windows up, for 20 minutes following deployment. During that period of time, the volunteers’ physiological signs were monitored, including their breathing rate. In at least one case, the volunteer could not stand it, and needed to get out of the car almost right away. His measurements showed significant distress!
That testing also showed that the most vulnerable people were those who had other, pre-existing conditions affecting their ability to breathe. For example, people with asthma were at risk. The more severe the asthma, the higher the risk from air bag deployment. Several people have reported very significant respiratory injuries from airbag deployment; we have even heard of one death attributed to air bag deployment. The worst injuries occur if a person cannot exit the vehicle right away (for example, if they are knocked out, or if the doors won’t open after the accident), and the windows are closed.
That same testing program also evaluated the effect of air bag deployment on a person’s hearing. That will be the subject of a separate post.
My wife and I were in a car accident in may 2008. We both have no history of asthma or breathing problems and we do not smoke. We both developed breathing problems in the fall of 2008 that are very asthma like and persistant. I started searching the internet on this topic and now I am convinced that our chronic conditions were developed from the airbag deployment. I will be pursuing this more.
car accident.
this weekend.
getting sick from air bag dust.
heart beats racing ,coughing,etc.
I am an EMT with my local Rescue Squad. This week on a MVA I was first on scene so therefore my job is to enter the vehicle and assess the patient. The crash involved extrication which caused prolonged exposure to gases caused by air bag deployment. I was in the vehicle for about a total of 10 minutes. I have had a sore throat for the last 24 hrs along with conjestion and coughing. I will now use a mask during any MVA.
Michael – that sounds like a good precaution to take. This is especially true when the passenger compartment has been “sealed”, meaning that no windows were broken, since the gases and particulates will tend to accumulate and settle on or in the interior trim pieces and fabric. Better to be safe than sorry.
my wife was recently in a crash in her 2009 ACURA RL. The front end was smashed and one air bag deployed. All the locks and windows and the trunk shut down and refused to work. She was stuck in the car breathing the airbag gasses for about 10 minutes until someone was able to break a window and get her out. After a call to Acura, we were promised a call back but have yet to receive one. Could this have cause permanent damage to her?
There is no question that the chemicals in air bags can cause breathing difficulties. Whether they cause breathing difficulties in a particular person, and how long those difficulties last, depends not only on the accident circumstances, but also on the person and their physiology. I recommend that your wife promptly consult with her physician to discuss your concerns and help you answer your question.
I certainly wish you and your wife all the best.
I have been working in the crash testing field for the last 17 years. I have had repeat prolonged exposure to airbag dust and inflators. no one has been able to tell me what the byproducts of the airbags are, or even if they are harmful for prolonged repeat exposure. The standard answer we get is “it produces nitrogen” how can the combination of the propelant and the intiator create an element and nothing else? What am I being exposed to and what are my risks?
Robert – the standard answer you are getting is incomplete and can be misleading. Yes, most air bag inflators produce nitrogen gas. However, they also produce numerous other byproducts during the combustion process, including both gases and particles. It is similar to the combustion of fuel in your engine that leads to numerous byproducts. They can include chemicals such as toluene and benzene, depending on the formulation of the propellant. Each inflator type can have different chemicals, and in different proportions. Because of this, the airbag industry has developed a test procedure for testing for those chemicals, including a list of chemicals that should be monitored in those tests. I recommend you speak with your safety coordinator at your place of employment, as there are precautions that should be taken to minimize the risk of your exposure to those chemicals.
Acura told me that there is Talc in the airbags to help them expand and not stick. They took the talc out of medical exam gloves. So if you are breathing in the talc, it could be like breathing in asbestos.
Some also say that certain cars used corn starch in their air bags. Although I’m not a medical doctor (and don’t even play one on TV), I would be concerned with any chemical that can cause effects even remotely resembling those from exposure to asbestos.
There’s also another issue with that statement about air bags containing talcum powder. That’s like saying the exhaust of a car contains “air”. While true, it ignores the fact that the gases and particles that are emitted during air bag deployment may also contain numerous other chemicals, including those that may be hazardous and carcinogenic. Not mentioning those potentially significant chemicals is a significant omission and can be misleading.
I was in my 4th car accident 5 days ago. I’ve been in a car when the air bag deploys and i’ve never seen that much dust come out of an air bag. I literally couldn’t see in my car, or breath. Since then i’ve been coughing constantly and my lungs have a slight burning feeling.
My sister was just in a car accident and now the inside of
her mouth is brown and so is her tongue!!! She is just getting
over cancer and they took her spleen and I am concerned.
I was in a car accident 5 days ago.I thaught my car was on fire there was so much dust that came out of the air bag.Since then i’ve been coughing constantly.So much that I cannot sleep at night.
I was in an auto accident in 1995. The airbag deployed and I believe it ruptured since the cabin was filled with smoke and dust and my right hand and lower arm was severely burned. I sat in the car and called for help and remined in the car until help arrived (my car was totalled). During the following 10 to 12 years I developed upper respiratory infections that increased in severity. During the past 3 years, my lung function has decreased to the point that I am on supplemental oxygen and have 40% lung function left. After two trips to the Mayo Clinic and numerous lung function tests, I am convinced that my lung problem was caused by inhaling the chemical of this air bag.
While driving my 2003 Ford Van on Monday morning when I was hit by a drunk driver. Both front airbags deployed. I have been coughing regularly throughout the day since (now 10 days). The cough is clearly coming from chemical exposure. The sensation in the lungs is that of a chemical disturbance (burning/irritation) causing the cough.
I was involved in a car accident in 2008 in a 1994 Infiniti Q 45 as soon as my air bag deployed i had a loss of breath as if I was gasping for air it almost 2 years later and I still have shortness of breath. I had to receive a breathing treatment at the hospital the day of the wreck and hasn’t been right since.
Airbags deployed in 2005 Mercury Sable, the car immediately filled up with smoke and white dust. We were choking and could not even see.
18 days ago i was in a car accident where the airbags deployed and the powder exploded out. since then i’ve lost half my voice to the point where it is very raspy. ive been taking lots of soothing homeopathic meds and drinking honey tea but it just wont come back. also, taking deep breaths (inhaling) are difficult. i wish i could feel normal again.
my kids and I were involved in a car accident about 2 1/2 months ago. both front airbags deployed and unfortunately, since the accident my 8 year old daughter has had many issues with her respiratory system. My daughter, since the day of the accident kept on saying that the airbag had done something to her. she keeps on complaining of shortness of breath, pain on her chest, and pain on her back which the doctors say is pain on her left lung. Doctors are able to hear something on her left lung but have not been able to see anything. they believe is something that she inhale from the airbag.
I was in an accident 2 weeks ago. The airbag deployed and I was in my car for 5 mins breathing in the dust. 2 days after the accident I started having breathing problems, I’ve been coughing and my lungs ache. After reading everyones comments I’m glad I now know what I need to talk to my doctor about.
I had an accident where all airbags were deployed. I was in the car for 5-10 mins, unable to see (because of the chemical cloud) and when I got out my mouth and throat burned. Days after, I developed bronchitis and here it is two months later and I’m still coughing and have the slight taste of the chemical when I do cough. My car was a 2011 model and I cannot believe that this sort of horrible chemical is used for “safety”.
I was in an accident a week ago The airbag deployed and I consumed a large amount of the dust/smoke and coughed so much I had to go to the Doctor for my stomach, the air bag also gave me 2nd degree burns on my chin, neck and chest. my neck looks like it will be disfigured for life if I do not get some type of plastic surgery.
I was in a car accident 16 days ago in my 2006 Ford Escape. My airbag went off and left a 3rd degree burn that covers half of my forearm almost all the way around. It was very swollen for 24hours following the accident and in the next days I developed hideous orange, black, and purple blisters which constantly filled with fluid all day until they burst open. Next, a rash formed on and all around the burn which has been painless but the muscles underneath and the ulna bone are very painful. There’s no bruising on the skin though and I am fearful that the chemicals from the contact have damaged my muscles and bones because I can’t hold my arm up or even leave it hanging by my side. A sling is most comfortable however it still radiates with pain almost down to my elbow.
Could this be serious? Should I go back to the ER? What are the effects of chemical contact burns from airbags? I don’t want to lose the ability to move/feel my arm.
I was in an accident 3 days ago and breathed in much dust from 1994 volvo. my throat had been sore since – very thirsty – and my asthma worse…glad i found this website.
I was in a car accident on 8/5/11. As the driver my airbag did deploy. I was sandwiched between 2 cars. I do realize that the airbag probably did save my life, however the after effect of the dust and smoke from the airbag are overwhelming. It has been two weeks and I still feel like I am having difficulties breathing, I am continually cophing and my voice is horce. After reading all of these comments, maybe I should go to the dr as I know I have quiet a bit of irritation in my lungs.
I was in an accident last week. The airbags in the front deployed. I did get minor burns on my wrists which are almost healed. Thanks to hearing from all of you, I now know that I will be talking to my doctor as soon as possible. I have asthma which is normally controlled this week it has gotten much worse and pretty much nonresponsive to my regular meds. I did get out of the truck ASAP, but until it came to a hault, I was stuck breathing those chemicals. Thanks for the info!
If you have any concerns at all about your breathing or any other aspect of your health, please see a doctor as soon as you can. Your health and safety should always be your top concern.
I was involved in an auto accident on 9-11-11. Both front airbags were deployed. We were in the car for approximately 5 minutes after the first impact and the airbags were deployed.My son and I began having a cough about 5 days later. We have both been to see a doctor and have had xrays. The DR has said that we both have Emphysema. We had no breathing problems prior to the accident. We are now scheduled to see a lung specialist. Thanks for posting this blog. I had no idea that air bags could cause lung injury. Thanks for the info.
I was in an auto accident on 8/13/2011 and both air bags deployed. I didn’t have respiratory problems prior to my accident. When the paramedics came, my blood pressure was extremely elevated, my chest was bruised, I developed a really bad cough with pain when coughing, I have a continuous headache, I cannot take deep breathes, I wheeze constantly, I lose my voice without warning, I cannot sleep nights and I’m really concerned. Sometimes I get Paranoid when I’m having problems breathing.
Wow, I just had a wreck today, an older couple pulled out in front of me. My pony is 4 years old. I noticed after the airbag exploded in my face a big cloud came out of it.I actually thought my car was on fire! I have burns on my arm and on my hand. It felt like someone was holding a huge lighter against my skin. I also realize these things save lives, but what the heck, my skin is still burning. The paramedic kept asking me if I was having breathing problems, because I was, but I was hurting too. When my daughter came into the hospital room she asked me what that smell was. She also told me later to wipe my clothes off cause I had residue all over me. Can we not find something else safer to use? Exchanging one deadly item for another (ie: not dying immediately or dying slowly) seems a little sinister to me.
I was in an accident on jan 1 2012 both air bags went off now I’m habin problems breathin and the skin on my face feels like its on fire I’m thankful it was there but wow this hurts