The MVMA Gas Generants Investigation

The events leading to the undertaking by the MVMA of a study on the potential impacts of gas generants on humans and on the environment are briefly reviewed and the overall findings of the two contractors retained to carry out the investigation are summarized. It is concluded that “there are no identifiable events in the air bag restraint system life cycle which could be classified as imminently dangerous to either human or environmental species.”(4)* There may be concerns associated with the disposal of vehicles equipped with air bags, but these concerns appear resolvable. The number of air bag-equipped vehicles reaching the disposal phase is expected to grow rather slowly, so that several years should be available for such resolution.