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Letter to the Editor

Flood Damaged Airbags Likely Following Tropical Storm Allison

Lakewood, NY -- Airbag Testing Technology has issued a consumer alert about airbags in flooded vehicles in the wake of Tropical Storm Allison.

When Tropical Storm Allison hit south east Texas and Louisiana on the weekend of June 9th-10th, it left a trail of destruction in its wake. In addition to the 18 lives lost in Texas alone, some $4bn worth of property damage is estimated in the state. Tens of thousands of cars are reported to have been flooded. Flood damage can have many seen, and unseen consequences for a car, and the safety of its occupants. Automotive airbags and seat belt pretensioners are particularly vulnerable to flood damage.

"Airbags are not designed to withstand flooding" says Peter Byrne, President of Airbag Testing Technology. "Flooding or water damage may seriously impair the airbag's ability to perform as designed in the event of a crash. They must be removed, and disposed of safely," added Byrne. While an airbag can be tested to confirm flood exposure, there is no safe way to re-use, or repair, a flooded airbag.

The impact of flood damage on automotive airbags, and their ability to function properly, is becoming increasingly well known. In January 2001, the GAO (General Accounting Office) reported that NHTSA had identified several safety defects in motor vehicles that were related to the failure of the airbags to operate properly after being exposed to flood damage or the intrusion of other liquids. NHTSA's investigation resulted in recalls which affected over 725,000 vehicles.

Airbag Testing Technology Inc. (ATT), based in Lakewood NY, is a privately held company that has developed proprietary technology (patents pending) to scientifically test and re-certify recycled, automotive original equipment (OE) airbags. ATT's technology enables un-deployed, OE airbags to be tested non-destructively, ensuring they meet the manufacturer's original specifications and therefore are safe to install in collision repair vehicles. Re-certified airbag modules are known as RAM.

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