Physical and Chemical Characterization of Airbag Effluents

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Abstract
This paper describes a study aimed at characterizing the exposure to physical and chemical by-products from the deployment of airbag restraint systems. Specifically, the levels of particulates and the composition of gases and bag fabric speed were measured in the passenger compartment following deployment of either a driver's side or driver's side/passenger's side airbag system. A Fourier transform infrared analyzer (FTIR) and chemiluminescence analyzers were used for gas analysis, a cascade impactor and gravimetric filter measurements for aerosol determination and high-speed films to determine fabric speed. The measured gases were found to be within the recommended guidelines for human exposures, but no guidelines exist for particle exposures of this magnitude (150-220 mg/m3) but short duration. High-speed films were also taken of the deployments to obtain an estimate of the fabric speed as it leaves the module. The maximum average speed for both types of airbag was approximately 100 mph and in both cases average speeds ranged from lows near 50 mph to highs of over 200 mph.

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