1.   Betterton recently applied for a National Science Foundation grant to determine if liquid sodium azide can be neutralized by bacteria and sunlight.

2.   It cites low sales of sodium azide, Halotron and environmental equipment.

3.   Not all of the sodium azide gets recycled.

4.   Sodium azide is a notoriously dangerous chemical.

5.   Sodium azide is considered toxic to all life forms.

6.   Sodium azide is a hazardous substance, highly explosive and tricky to handle in manufacturing.

7.   Sodium azide, the main propellant in automotive air bags, is intensely flammable and toxic as a dry powder.

8.   Some researchers contacted by The Arizona Republic have questioned whether bacteria and sunshine are capable of breaking down sodium azide.

9.   The Mesa plants continue to use sodium azide in air-bag productions, but at reduced levels due to technological improvements.

10.   TRW officials contend that sodium azide breaks down in water when exposed to ultraviolet light, becoming innocuous.