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ECAR Fact Sheet for Minnesota
Air Bag Cartridges
Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources
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The following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check on the status of the review process here. Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried to present a summary of the essential information on this topic, you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations, may apply to you.
What You Need to Know
In the past few years, air bag units have presented a new problem for salvage facilities. There are no regulations governing the final disposal of air bag units, yet they are becoming more common in salvaged vehicles. The units, whether made of plastic, vinyl or metal, contain a propellant called sodium azide, a hazardous substance, which is dangerous if inhaled and may burn exposed skin. Air bags that have not been deployed can also damage vehicle shredders by releasing sodium azide into the processing equipment and ultimately into the auto "fluff." Contaminated fluff is considered a hazardous waste, which require costly handling and disposal methods.
If the air bags have been deployed, the material is no longer dangerous, and you will not have to take special precautions. But many vehicles now contain multiple air bags (side air bags, for example). Any undeployed air bags must be removed from the vehicle.
Once you have removed the intact cartridges, you can send them to a reclamation facility. If you do, you will not have to treat them as a hazardous waste.
Air bag cartridges that have not been deployed are hazardous waste unless they are reclaimed. If they are reclaimed, they are not hazardous waste.
Store non-deployed air bag units indoors, protected from the weather until they can be resold or disposed of properly. Non-deployed air bags are valuable, so do not deploy unless necessary.
If the air bags have been deployed, the material is no longer dangerous, and you will not have to take special precautions. Many vehicles now contain multiple air bags (side air bags, for example).
Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to hazardous waste.
Minnesota Hazardous Waste Rules
Federal EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things he or she checks to see if you are in compliance with environmental regulations. It makes good sense for you to perform a "self-audit" and catch and correct problems before they result in penalties. Also, there are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits (see Audit Policy Page).
Use the following list to audit your procedures for air bag handling procedures.
- If the air bag or air bag cartridge will be sent off-site to a reclamation facility, verify that:
- The air bag/cartridge was sent to a facility capable of reclaiming the items.
- If the air bag or air bag cartridge will be sent off-site for disposal, verify that:
- The air bags/cartridges were managed on-site as hazardous waste, which includes proper storage.
- The air bags/cartridges were sent to an approved landfill using the appropriate procedures.
- Hazardous waste recordkeeping and reporting requirements have been satisfied.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Most regulations tell you what you have to do to be in compliance, but they don't explain how to do it. That's where "best management practices" come into play. BMPs are proven methods that help you to get into compliance and stay there.
The following BMPs are recommended for the management and recycling of air bags:
- Leave deployed air bag units in vehicles since deployed air bags do not pose a risk to human health or the environment.
- Store non-deployed air bags indoors, protected from the weather until they can be resold.
- If you send air bags, have retained shipping papers that indicate the name of the declaimer, the date of transfer, and the quantity of air bags/cartridges shipped.
- Deploy air bags using the following method:
- Disconnect cables from the vehicle's battery.
- Wait 20 minutes for the unit's internal battery to discharge completely.
- Deploy air bags remotely using the jumper harness/wiring system outlined in the fact sheet Disposal of Air Bags in Scrap Vehicles, or by using the manufacturer's recommended method.
For more information, contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Regional Office closest to you:
- Northeast Region (Duluth) 218-723-4660.
- North Central Region (Brainerd) 218-828-2492.
- Northwest Region (Detroit Lakes) 218-847-1519.
- Southwest Region (Marshall) 507-537-7146.
- Southeast Region (Rochester) 507-285-7343.
*Report petroleum and fuel spills of five or more gallons, and any other chemical spill (including lead-acid batteries) which may cause pollution, to the State Duty Officer at 651-649-5451 or 1-800-422-0798.
- MPCA Fact Sheet -Disposal of Air Bags in Scrap Vehicles
- Motor Vehicle Salvage Facility Environmental Compliance Manual
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