Burns are among the most serious injuries caused by air bags, but no one seems sure why they happen.
Take your choice: chemicals, heat or abrasive nylon.
The Center for Auto Safety in Washington says it has received recent reports that the bags’ chemical propellant has burned motorists.
But abrasions are more common, the center says.
“When someone is close to the steering wheel of the vehicle, they more often receive burns from chafing caused by the bag,” said Sean Kane, of the vehicle safety staff.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is among air bag advocates who say chemical burns are impossible.
“The dust (released by air bags) is harmless,” said George Parker, associate administrator for research and development. “Some of the early designs did cause some abrasions and thermal burns to the hands.”
Air bag victims give a different story.
Eileen Yinger, 69, a registered nurse from Ohio, suffered first- and third- degree burns when her air bag opened in a minor Pompano Beach accident last month.
“The doctor thinks it was the chemicals,” she said. “I’ve seen the doctor twice now and he thinks they’re chemical burns.”
The attorney for a Miami man whose eyes were burned in an accident last Sunday also blames chemicals.
“The ophthalmologist said these are chemical burns caused by the air bag,” said Barry Silverstein, who did not want to release his client’s name. “This was clearly the result of the chemicals that were used.”
A recent air bag victim from Nebraska, Marilyn Demaray, 60, said her doctor also found the injuries resulted from a chemical. “It burned through three layers of clothing and gave me second- and third-degree burns,” she said.
South Florida paramedics apparently have little experience with the burns but have received warnings about the chemicals used in air bags.
“There is a potential for a toxicological problem, but also a long-term health hazard,” said Lt. Peter Carafano, of the Delray Beach fire rescue unit.
“We in the fire department are very concerned about possible health hazards from repeated exposures” to the chemicals.
