title: [Awareness of the risk of air bag-associated injuries essential].
abstract: Restraint systems, such as air bags and seat belts with pretensioners, reduce effectively the risk of serious injuries of car occupants. However, this equipment may have some adverse effects. In a frontal air bag deployment the cushion expands with a speed of about 200 km/h towards the driver. A person within the expansion zone, i.e. within 20 centimetres from the steering wheel hub, may experience a considerable injury risk. Short people, pregnant women and people "out of normal position" are especially at risk, as well as paramedics exposed for accidentally deployed air bags during rescue work. The gas generator in the air bag produces nitrogen in a chemical process. However, small amounts of NaOH (caustic soda) may leak out of the gas generator and may contaminate eyes and wounds and cause injuries and delay healing. The air bag gases may provoke an asthmatic attack in sensible individuals and a few will experience a hearing loss, often in the range of 4,000-6,000 Hz, from the sound impulse that may reach a level of 170 dB. Correct handling, based on a familiarity of the effects and side effects of modern restraint systems, would minimise the risk of adverse effects of this safety equipment.
authors.affiliation: Institutionen för kirurgi och perioperativ vetenskap, kirurgi, Umeå universitet. ulf.bjornstig@vll.se
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Björnstig
authors.forename: Per-Olle
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Haraldsson
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Polland
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sandström
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control; D017278:Air Bags / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000552:Ambulances; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases / Q000009:adverse effects; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D012307:Risk Factors; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D005740:Gases