ECAR Fact Sheet for District of Columbia
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. 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. Contaminated fluff requires costly handling and disposal methods. 

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.

District of Columbia's Hazardous Waste Management Requirements: Copies of the DC Hazardous Waste Management Regulations are available from the Department for a small fee to cover the cost of copying. For more information, contact the Hazardous Waste Division at 202-535-2290.

Federal EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Self-Audit Checklist

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.

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:

• 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.

Contacts

1. For more information, contact the District of Columbia Department of Health, Hazardous Waste Division at (202) 535-2270.
2. For reportable spills or leaks, call the DC Emergency Management Agency's 24-hour communications hotline at 202-727-6161, or the non-emergency number at 202-673-3331. If a spill requires contact to a federal agency, the person required to give the notice would, at the same time, be required to give telephonic notice to the DC Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health, Hazardous Waste Division.
3. To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the Environmental Health Administration.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Hazardous Waste

Other Relevant Resources

None.

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