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Chemical Burns
Most airbag systems use an inflator which, when operating properly, generates a harmless gas to fill the bag. The bag contains vent holes, which allow the gas to escape from the bag.
The chemical propellant used to generate gas in an airbag module is similar to rocket fuel. As fuel and oxidized burn, small bits of reacting propellant may blow into the bag and be expelled from the vents.
Occupants have reported severe chemical burns on the face, neck and arms following airbag deployment. This occurs as a result of inadequate filtering of propellant as it leaves the gas generator module.
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