ECAR Fact Sheet for California
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

Air bags are compromises.  Cars are equipped with them in order to try to make the best of a very bad situation (a collision).  But the air bag cartridges contain an explosive chemical, sodium azide.  If the air bag has not been deployed, the material is 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. 

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.  However, if you send them off-site for disposal, you will have to follow the hazardous waste rules.

Regulations

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.

California’s Hazardous Waste Management Requirements

Federal EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Self-Audit Checklist

When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things they check 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 management.

1. 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.
2. 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:

• 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.

Contacts

1. Contact the DTSC Public and Business Liaisons at 800-728-6942, or go to http://www.dtsc.ca.gov. Follow the “Toxic Questions?” and “Contact a Live Person!” links to the page listing each of the Duty Officers’ email addresses.
2. To report large spills and releases to the environment, contact your local emergency response offices (usually 911) as well as the Office of Emergency Services Warning Center: 800-852-7550.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Hazardous Waste

Other Relevant Resources

1. Hazardous Waste Generators – Information (CA DTSC)
2. Managing Hazardous Waste Main Web Page (CA DTSC)
3. Partners in the Solution Guidance Manual (State of CA Auto Dismantlers Assn.)

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