On Mon, 15 Nov 2004, Bill Putney wrote:

> I doubt very seriously that the engineers involved in the evolution of
> the air bag said to each other one day: "You know guys - this pure
> nitrogen inflation gas works well, but it's too safe. We need to come
> up with some additonal components that will hurt people and make them
> sick." There had to be some technical reason that the other stuff was
> added - like maybe to make the proper firing more reliable, or more
> consistent over a very broad temperature range, or to prevent material
> deterioration - you know - something besides "Lets' make this dangerous
> for people". Usually when something that has some known downsides is
> incorporated, it's to gain an even greater benefit.

....lower production cost.