Sodium Azide-Associated Laryngospasm After Air Bag Deployment

Sodium azide poisoning: a narrative review

“…In 13 patients, azide exposure occurred from airbag deployment (Table 1(A-1) [9,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]). The patients developed symptoms after either inhaling or having dermal or ocular contact with undecomposed NaN 3 released when an airbag ripped during a vehicular accident.…”

“…Seven people had chemical burns and one person was diagnosed with contact dermatitis [24][25][26][27]31,33]. Five patients without prior history of respiratory disease developed pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea or stridor, and two were diagnosed with chemical pneumonitis [9,[28][29][30]32]. Three patients sustained ocular injury [9,31,32].…”

“…Five patients without prior history of respiratory disease developed pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea or stridor, and two were diagnosed with chemical pneumonitis [9,[28][29][30]32]. Three patients sustained ocular injury [9,31,32]. They are grouped based on mode of azide exposure (i.e., accidental, suicidal, secondary, and unknown, letters A through D, respectively) and sub-grouped based on exposure setting (numbers 1 through 4).…”

“…Persons who had respiratory distress due to inhaling hydrazoic acid or sodium azide dust were treated with corticosteroids and b-agonists [28,29]. People who had azide contact to skin or eyes received general treatment for a chemical exposure, which included steroids and antibiotics [9,[24][25][26][27][31][32][33].…”

“…Following an automobile crash, an igniter generates high temperatures that rapidly decompose NaN 3 into sodium metal and nitrogen gas. Due mainly to its use in airbags, NaN 3 production surged beginning in 1990, and at least 1,000 tons are produced annually [ 8 , 9 ]. The fate of azide pellets in old airbags is generally unknown, posing a potential environmental problem [ 10 – 12 ].…”