ECAR Fact Sheet for Wisconsin
Air Bag Cartridges

Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources

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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.

Wisconsin Hazardous Waste Regulations (NR 590.01-690.81)

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:

• 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 Wisconsin's DNR Auto Salvage Sector Resource Specialist at 715-831-3263, or contact the WDNR Regional Office in your area. For northern Wisconsin, call 715-635-2101 or 715-365-8900; West Central Wisconsin, call 715-839-3700; Northeast Wisconsin, call 920-492-5800; Southeast Wisconsin, call 414-263-8500; and, for South Central Wisconsin, call 608-275-3266.
2. All spills should be immediately reported using Wisconsin's 24-hour toll free hotline at 800-943-0003. If you discover a discharge through analysis of soil or water, use the Hazardous Substance Release Fax Notification Form.

Related ECAR Fact Sheets

1. Hazardous Waste

Other Relevant Resources

1. Wisconsin - Air Bag Reclaiming Facilities
2. Wisconsin's Auto and Scrap Recycling Website

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